Chelsea seeking European history in Conference League final under Maresca guidance
Chelsea Secures Champions League Qualification After Nottingham Forest Victory
In a thrilling finale at Nottingham Forest, Chelsea clinched a spot in next season's Champions League. With the Premier League title beyond reach, now manager Maresca focuses on the opportunity for his team to create history in Wroclaw, Poland. The Blues, who have won the Champions League, Europa League, Super Cup, and the defunct Cup Winners' Cup, can become the first club to win all five of UEFA's major men's club competitions if they emerge victorious in the Conference League final against Betis.
Maresca faced a challenging first season at Stamford Bridge, having replaced Mauricio Pochettino. His squad showed promise in mid-December, staying close to eventual league champions Liverpool, only to stumble later in the campaign. However, results picked up before the season's end, securing a fourth-place finish in the Premier League with a 1-0 win at the City Ground.
Speaking after the game, Maresca addressed criticism directed at him and his young team: "Those who feel they hold the answers or speak the truth, they said we were too young, we were not good enough. Unfortunately for them, they'll be all wrong, the ones who believe they know everything." Maresca emphasized that a Conference League victory would elevate an already successful season for Chelsea: "It would be a way of saying that we are back and that we are a winning club in Europe. We hope to achieve just that."
Despite their long-awaited first silverware since the 2022 takeover still being elusive, Chelsea enters the Conference League final as clear favorites, having won 11 of their 12 games in the competition. Former Leicester boss Maresca has utilized a rotating squad during the competition, affording opportunities to youth and fringe players. As they prepare for Wednesday's match, he reiterated the need for changes: "I have to manage the situation carefully, ensure we are fresh for the final."
In the opposing corner will be 71-year-old Manuel Pellegrini, a mentor to Maresci, who played under him at Malaga and served as assistant coach at West Ham. Pellegrini expressed confidence in his protege's future: "With both Enzo and Willy (Caballero, Chelsea assistant coach), I was sure they'd go on to become influential coaches on a global level."
Betis can draw confidence from a remarkable statistic: since the start of the 2001/02 season, all 23 Champions League, Europa League, or Conference League finals featuring Spanish hopefuls have been won by a Spanish team. Pellegrini's team boasts the rejuvenated Antony, on loan from Manchester United, and Isco, who won five Champions League trophies at Real Madrid.
Determined to put on a show in Wroclaw, Pellegrini said: "While winning is paramount, I believe the way we win is equally important." The stakes couldn't be higher for Chelsea, who seek to etch their names into the history books by becoming the first club to win all five of UEFA's major men's club competitions.
- Chelsea's successful qualification for the Champions League next season will provide an opportunity for them to create history, as they aim to win the Conference League and become the first club to win all five of UEFA's major men's club competitions.
- Despite facing a challenging first season at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea manager Maresca is now focused on leading his team to victory in the Conference League final against Betis, which could elevate an already successful season for the club.
- With the Conference League final against Chelsea, Betis will be aiming to win and continue a remarkable statistic, as all 23 Champions League, Europa League, or Conference League finals featuring Spanish hopefuls since the 2001/02 season have been won by a Spanish team.
