New Delhi: Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has described the challenge of balancing a demanding 16-hour round trip to Kazakhstan for a UEFA Conference League match with Sunday’s Premier League clash against Brentford as “not normal.” The Blues face a significant logistical and physical test as they aim to maintain momentum in both competitions with the Blues currently sitting at the top of the UEFA Conference League standings.
Chelsea, currently second in the Premier League and four points behind leaders Liverpool, will take an eight-hour flight to Almaty to face Astana on Thursday night. The journey, complicated by detours to avoid conflict zones in Ukraine, Russia, and Syria, underscores the logistical strain on the team. Adding to the difficulty are frigid temperatures forecast to plunge to -11°C in Almaty, where Astana is hosting matches due to renovations at their home stadium, 600 miles away in Nur-Sultan.
Enzo Maresca:
“Eight hours is not a normal time [to travel] for a game. We have to go there and play, we will try to do our best, thinking also about the next game.”
— Absolute Chelsea (@AbsoluteChelsea) December 11, 2024
The team is scheduled to return to London early on Friday morning, leaving limited recovery time before facing Brentford at 19:00 GMT (12:30 am IST) on Sunday. “Eight hours [one way] is not a normal time [to travel] for a game, but we have to go there, we have to play and we want to try to do our best, thinking also about the next game,” Maresca explained. The Italian manager becomes the latest name to hit out at the grueling fixture schedule for the clubs this season following the increase in matches.
Chelsea’s players remain focused despite the tough conditions. Axel Disasi, a confirmed starter for Chelsea’s trip to Kazakhstan, said: “We just have to put on two pairs of gloves and be ready to compete in these conditions. Download some movies for the flight, and be ready to fight.” The Premier League has accommodated Chelsea with a late kick-off on Sunday, acknowledging the extraordinary travel demands. Despite the challenges, Maresca’s side remains determined to secure their top spot in the Conference League and continue their pursuit of Premier League glory.
Chelsea’s squad for the game against FC Astana
Chelsea’s 20-man squad to face Astana has been confirmed. ✅#UECL
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) December 11, 2024
Many of the names that we’ve gotten used to in the UEFA Conference League have been rested by Enzo Maresca for such a grueling trip with only a handful of first team players in the squad for the match. This match is now being viewed as an opportunity for Chelsea’s talented group of youngsters and fringe players to make a mark for themselves. The squad announced for this clash is unlike any other that we’ve seen from the Blues this season.
Goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen, defenders Axel Disasi, Renato Veiga and Tosin Adarabioyo, and attacking players like Pedro Neto and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall are the only first team players listed for the game. The rest of the squad is filled with academy talents like Richard Olise, the younger brother of Bayern Munich star Michael Olise, Samuel Rak-Sakyi, who made his debut in the 8-0 win against FC Noah while Carney Chukwumeka also finds a place in the squad.
The duo of Tyrique George and Josh Acheampong, two of the academy’s brightest prospects, are also part of the travelling squad and will be looking to impress the manager. Maresca emphasized the importance of preparation for those staying in London. “The ones not involved tomorrow are going to be training. Ideally, we prefer not to use players from Thursday for Sunday, but if we need to, they will make the effort,” he stated.
English club Chelsea are set to travel to Kazakhstan to play FC Astana in their UEFA conference League clash but that amounts to a 16-hour round trip before their Premier League clash on Sunday with Brentford. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
