Chelsea can be chained to the league of the conference for the moment, but as Nicolas Jackson fired in their fourth to send them to his final, it appeared that the Swedish capital was as pleasant as for an episode of Stockholm syndrome.
There was no saying to Jackson that he could not take advantage of the third level competition in Europe when he celebrated his second goal of the evening, nor Jadon Sancho or Iini Madueke when they scored, or Enzo Maresca elsewhere. They dismantled Djurgarden, merciless and massively.
Of course, there is little romantic at the Chelsea waltz towards the final in Wroclaw, Poland. These are sharks swimming in a pond of Koi, exercising their powers on the mini, but then while being hostage in a competition which is not part of their real ambitions, they can also take it seriously.
The quadruple substitution of Maresca at halftime told us that it was. He brought Jackson, Cole Palmer, Moises Caicedo and Trevoh Chalobah. Chelsea was already leading 2-0, but he wanted to confirm that this two-legged semi-final is as good as it is dead.
Although Djurgarden has obtained a goal for themselves, the second stage of next week at Stamford Bridge resembles a formality after the double of Jackson and a final with Fiorentina or Real Betis, managed by the former Maresca mentor, Manuel Pellegrini, is waiting.
Chelsea missed comfortable winners on the Swedish side Djurgarden in the first leg of their semi-final of the Europa conference league Thursday evening, triumphant 4-1 far from his home
A replacement for the replacement for the second half Nicolas Jackson made sure that the Blues were transporting
The hosts were rewarded for a courageous display when they fell through Isak Alemayehu
The additional bonus at the Conference League is the opportunities it has offered to Chelsea young people, and full -time, Reggie Walsh has been caused as a substitute. He was only 16 years old and almost made a dream start by scoring 25 yards. You suspect that he will have another chance in the second stage of next week.
“I felt excited to give him a chance,” said Maresca on Walsh. “It is suitable for our style. It is the first first of the academy.
“It is perfect for our system, but of course, it is also young, so we have to protect it. I told her to take advantage of the experience before his arrival. It was the perfect night – an important semi -final and a good result.
Sancho had spent the first 12 minutes complaining that his teammates did not spend him when he was finally found for the opener.
It was an intelligent crossing of Enzo Fernandez but no doubt, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall was the real architect of this goal without even touching the ball.
It was his race that withdrew Adam Stahl from the position to leave Sancho to score, Marcus Danielson based on an authorization for a goal line.
Djurgarden had exploded their plastic terrain with water cannons before kick -off – probably to make it smooth in the absence of its false fibers.
Despite the fear that it could cause injury, Maresca launched Reece James in the midfield. After 31 minutes, a ball cut behind the Chelsea captain should have been buried by Madueke, but Djurgarden goalkeeper Jacob Rinne refused him six meters.
Jadon Sancho had a return to form as he opened the scoring after 12 minutes
Enzo Maresca will be happy to have this equality, except in the bag, after the first step, while its objective now returns to football of the Champions League with the Blues who welcome Liverpool on Sunday
Madueke made amends when Fernandez set it up to score 16 yards while Chelsea took a 2-0 lead at half-time.
Despite the quadruple substitution of Maresca for the break, Djurgarden suddenly threatened to score, approaching Hampus Finèndll and August Priske.
In the 60th minute, however, he was 3-0 while Jackson capitalized on a defensive mixture between Danielson and Rinne. Then he became 4-0 when the Chelsea striker buried an 18 yards.
Djurgarden obtained a goal for themselves when Isak Mulugeta went beyond Filip Jorgensen, Josh Acheambong having lost the ball then his man.
Palmer should have scored when, but the lack of confidence showed, a heavy touch killing luck while the ball has moved away from him.
MARESCA can only hope that he ends his dryness of goal this Sunday during the visit of Liverpool in the Premier League.
