Maresca ‘worried’ about Djurgarden’s artificial pitch

Enzo Maresca, manager of Chelsea, is “worried” about playing in the Conference League semi-final on a highly controversial artificial surface.

On a pitch that even the Swedish club’s manager Jani Honkavaara described as “horrible” after a game against GAIS last week, the Blues take on Djurgarden on Thursday.

Players at Djurgarden and rival managers have voiced their opinions on the 3Arena pitch.

Prior to the match against Chelsea, extra sand was added to improve the surface’s quality.

Maresca, who has watched replays of Djurgarden’s previous six games in recent days, is aware that the pitch could have problems.

He said, “It may be a concern.” I’m concerned about that a little bit. It completely differs from grass[/.

“I am aware that some of their players have voiced their concerns about the pitch in recent weeks.” They perform every week, so each week’s schedule is different for us.

“But there are no justifications, no justifications for our failure to compete in the second game and tomorrow.”

Chelsea are undoubtedly the favorites to advance despite the pitch. The Premier League comes in first and Swedish Allsvenskan, respectively, in the Uefa league rankings, with Transfermarkt reporting that Chelsea’s squad is worth 44 times more than the hosts’.

Despite Chelsea hosting Liverpool on Sunday with Champions League qualification still in doubt, Maresca said he would not rest players. “We are not in a moment where we can say we decide to save players,” he added.

We want to be in the semi-final because this is a competition that is “European.”

Chelsea have their strongest available squad in Sweden, but Christopher Nkunku and Robert Sanchez are unable to travel for the game because of minor injuries that are pending evaluation.

Maresca continued, “We go for the title now that we are in the semi-final, and the next target is the final.”

Because it’s a European competition, this club will have the chance to be the only one in the world to win every European competition. I also have a responsibility for the players and for them to obtain that.