Chelsea find themselves facing renewed fixture problems in the Europa Conference League after their league phase clash against Astana has been moved over 770 miles away. The Blues were scheduled to fly to Kazakhstan in December for the third-tier European competition clash, but will now be travelling to a different location closer to the China border.
Astana Arena Renovations Force Venue Change
Stadium renovation work at the 30,000-seater Astana Arena has forced the venue change, meaning the Blues will instead be playing on the other side of Kazakhstan. The impressive Astana Arena, boasting a retractable roof and undersoil heating, is currently undergoing renovations, forcing Astana to play their home fixtures elsewhere this season. They played their Conference League qualifying home matches against Milsami, Corvinul, and Brann at the Almaty Ortalyk Stadion – and that is where Astana will host Chelsea on Thursday 12 December.
Almaty Ortalyk Stadion: Chelsea's New Destination
Enzo Maresca's side will make the long-haul trip to the Almaty Ortalyk Stadion in Almaty on the Kyrgyzstan border instead, which is just 250 miles from China. The Almaty Ortalyk Stadion, located on the outskirts of Almaty, is a multi-purpose stadium featuring a running track that circles the pitch and operates as Kazakhstan's national football ground. This changed venue will require Chelsea's players to embark on a flight lasting over eight hours, with supportive Blues fans wanting to travel for the game facing expensive costs.
Extreme Winter Conditions
Freezing cold temperatures across Kazakhstan regularly sees the mercury drop below -5 degrees during December, and to make matters worse is the fact that the stadium Chelsea will be playing at doesn't have a roof. This means players, coaching staff, and supporters will be subjected to extreme winter weather conditions throughout the game, with heavy snow and ice a possibility. Generally, temperatures in Almaty, Kazakhstan, range from 2°C to -7°C in December.
Chelsea's Europa Conference League Campaign
Chelsea will kick-start their Europa Conference League campaign at Stamford Bridge against Gent on October 3. They will then jet off to Athens, Greece, to play Panathinaikos before returning to London where they will host Armenian FC Noah. The Blues will contest six clashes in the group stages of the Europa Conference League, with a trip to German team Heidenheim preceding their journey to Kazakhstan before the Blues complete their initial Conference League fixtures against Shamrock Rovers. Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca will now take his Blues squad to the other side of Kazakhstan.
Conference League Squad Exclusion
Cole Palmer, who goes by the nickname 'Cold Palmer' based on his goal celebration, won't be able to play due to his exclusion from Chelsea's initial Europa Conference League squad. Palmer was a key member of the first team squad last season and played 3,734 minutes of football in total. So far this season, the midfielder has scored once and provided four assists in five games. Enzo Maresca made the decision to balance the workload of some young players, with injury-jinxed midfielder Romeo Lavia and defender Wesley Fofana also left out of the 27-strong group for the competition.
Chelsea's Europa Conference League Schedule
Here is a breakdown of Chelsea's Europa Conference League schedule:
- Thursday, 3 October: Chelsea vs Gent (Kick-off: 8pm, Stamford Bridge)
- Thursday, 24 October: Panathinaikos vs Chelsea (Kick-off: 5.45pm, Athens Olympic Stadium)
- Thursday, 7 November: Chelsea vs FC Noah (Kick-off: 8pm, Stamford Bridge)
- Thursday, 28 November: Heidenheim vs Chelsea (Kick-off: 5.45pm, FC Heidenheim Voith-Arena)
- Thursday, 12 December: FC Astana vs Chelsea (Kick-off: 3.30pm, Almaty Ortalyk Stadion)
- Thursday, 19 December: Chelsea vs Shamrock Rovers (Kick-off: 8pm, Stamford Bridge)
All kick-off times are presented in UK time.
A Challenging Journey for Chelsea
The Blues' fixture against Astana being moved to the other side of Kazakhstan presents several challenges for Chelsea. The long flight, the extreme winter weather conditions, and the lack of a roof at the Almaty Ortalyk Stadion are all factors that could impact the team's performance. However, Chelsea will be hoping to overcome these obstacles and secure a positive result in their final away trip of the league phase.
The Impact of Stadium Renovations
The relocation of the Chelsea-Astana match highlights the impact of stadium renovations on football clubs. While Astana are unable to play at their usual home ground due to the ongoing renovations, the move has had a significant impact on their opponents, who now face a challenging journey to the other side of Kazakhstan. This scenario highlights the importance of careful planning and communication between clubs and governing bodies when it comes to stadium renovations.
Looking Ahead
As Chelsea embark on their journey to Kazakhstan, it is clear that their Europa Conference League campaign will be a challenging one. The Blues will face tough opponents and unpredictable weather conditions, but they will be hoping to secure a place in the knockout rounds and continue their quest for European success.
