Chelsea fans have arrived in numbers for the Blues’ Conference League clash against FC Astana, despite weather warnings over -11°C in Kazakhstan.
Chelsea Fans Arrive For FC Astana Clash Despite Weather Warning Over -11°C Temperatures
Chelsea will continue their Europa Conference League campaign on Thursday afternoon, as the Blues travel to Kazakhtsan to face FC Astana.
Enzo Maresca’s side have been faultless in their opening four matches so far, winning each one and conceding just three goals in the process.
However, this match has caught the headlines after a weather warning in Kazakhstan revealed that temperatures could drop to as low as -11°C.
Despite these weather concerns, Chelsea fans have still travelled in their numbers to the match and some were even spotted in short-sleeve shirts!
Chelsea fans out in Kazakstan for their Conference League game at FC Astana tomorrow.
Unreal dedication to their club travelling 3500 miles so close to Christmas. Fair play to them. 👏 #CFC pic.twitter.com/2Miy4vkxpF
— Football Away Days (@FBAwayDays) December 11, 2024
The match will get started at 3:30pm in the United Kingdom, which is 8:30pm in Kazakhstan and will be played at the Almaty Ortalyk Stadium.
Many fans were questioning the early kick off time, as European matches are usually set for 5:30pm or 8:00pm kick offs in the UK.
This earlier time has been selected as Astana is five hours ahead of London and weather warnings in the country make it impossible/unsafe to begin later.
The domestic league in Kazakhstan (Kazakh Premier League) runs from spring to late autumn and typically comes to an end by November due to the weather conditions.
It could reach -11°C in Kazahkstan for the match with some reports even suggest as low as -12°C and all of FC Astana’s matches kicked off at 3:30pm last season.
The only anomaly was Astana’s first match of the 2024/25 Conference League campaign kicked off slightly later back in October, taking up the 5:45pm (UK) slot.
The Blues are heavy favourites to win the match on UK betting sites and can extend their lead at the top of the Conference League table with a win.
