Real Betis vs Chelsea

Chelsea aim to make history as the first team to claim all four major UEFA club titles, facing off against Real Betis in the Conference League final on Wednesday in Wroclaw.

Under Enzo Maresca’s leadership, Chelsea breezed past Djurgardens IF in the semi-finals to secure their spot in the final, while Betis edged out Fiorentina to earn their chance at silverware.

Winning the Conference League would be a bonus, but Chelsea’s bigger prize is already secured: a Champions League spot for next season, clinched with a 1-0 victory over Nottingham Forest on the final day of the Premier League. Levi Colwill’s second-half goal sealed fourth place, ensuring the Blues’ return to Europe’s elite competition.

With their Champions League berth confirmed, the pressure is off for Chelsea in this final, but the chance to etch their name in the record books remains. Having already won the Champions League, Europa League, and Super Cup, Chelsea are chasing a historic clean sweep in their 13th European final, with eight victories in their previous 12.

Favored to lift the Conference League trophy from the outset, Chelsea have been dominant, with only minor stumbles against Servette and Legia Warsaw. However, they now face their toughest challenge yet in the competition.

Real Betis, led by experienced manager Manuel Pellegrini, are chasing their first-ever European trophy. Pellegrini, a former Premier League champion, has revitalized Betis, with standout performances from Isco and Antony. In the semi-finals, Betis overcame a 2-1 deficit against Fiorentina, with Antony’s 97th-minute assist to Abde Ezzalzouli securing a dramatic 2-2 draw and progression.

Despite their heroics, Betis ended their La Liga campaign on a sour note, winless in their final four matches. Still, their sixth-place finish guarantees Europa League football next season.

The last competitive meetings between Chelsea and Betis came in the 2005-06 Champions League group stage, with Chelsea winning 4-0 at home but falling 1-0 away. Now, Maresca, once an assistant under Pellegrini at West Ham, looks to outshine his former mentor in this high-stakes clash.