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Enzo Maresca is on a mission to make history with Chelsea as they prepare for the UEFA Conference League final against Real Betis on Wednesday. A win in Wroclaw would not only mark the club’s return to European glory but also complete their sweep of UEFA’s five major men’s competitions — an unprecedented feat.
Chelsea, who secured Champions League qualification with a final-day victory over Nottingham Forest, have already lifted the Champions League, Europa League, Super Cup and the now-defunct Cup Winners’ Cup. Winning the Conference League would complete a rare European trophy cabinet.
Maresca’s first season at Stamford Bridge has been a turbulent one since replacing Mauricio Pochettino. His youthful squad had a promising start and were close on the heels of Liverpool in mid-December, but form dipped midway through the campaign. However, they rallied in the latter stages to finish fourth in the Premier League, clinching Champions League football.
After sealing that top-four finish with a narrow 1–0 win at the City Ground, Maresca hit back at his critics, particularly those who had questioned his reliance on youth. “All the ones that think they are the truth, that they have the answers — they said we were too young, not good enough,” he remarked. “Unfortunately for them, they were wrong.”
Despite fan frustrations over what some see as overly cautious tactics, Maresca told UEFA.com that winning the Conference League would turn a solid campaign into a “great one” and would mark Chelsea’s comeback on the continental stage.
The club has not lifted any silverware since Todd Boehly’s consortium took over from Roman Abramovich in 2022, and Maresca is eager to deliver. Chelsea have been dominant in the competition, winning 11 out of their 12 matches. Throughout the campaign, Maresca has rotated the squad, using fringe and younger players — a strategy he intends to continue in the final.
The final pits Maresca against 71-year-old Real Betis manager Manuel Pellegrini — a figure he reveres as a football mentor. The two share a close relationship, with Maresca having played under Pellegrini at Málaga and later working as his assistant at West Ham.
“I owe a great deal to him,” Maresca said. “I had four years with him — two as a player and two on his staff. He’s shaped much of my approach to the game.”
Pellegrini, formerly of Real Madrid and Manchester City, had high praise for his protégé. “Some players you just know will become great coaches — Enzo was one of those,” he said. “He and Willy Caballero (now Chelsea’s assistant coach) were always absorbing the details, always thinking.”
Real Betis, who finished sixth in La Liga, are playing in their first ever European final. They’ll be bolstered by on-loan Manchester United winger Antony and the experienced Isco, who previously won five Champions League titles with Real Madrid.
Spanish clubs have an enviable record in UEFA finals — winning all 23 major European finals involving La Liga sides since 2001/02. Pellegrini hopes to extend that streak, but also wants the performance to match the occasion.
“Winning is always important, but how you win matters too,” he said. “We want to put on a show in Wroclaw.”
