Real Betis vs Chelsea | Conference League | Final | Pre Match
Real Betis vs Chelsea
The second of three major European finals takes place at the Tarczyński Arena in Wrocław on Wednesday, where Chelsea, one of England’s most decorated clubs, will face off against Real Betis, a Spanish side hungry for their first major European trophy, in the UEFA Conference League final. For Chelsea, this match represents an opportunity to cap a successful season under Enzo Maresca with silverware, following a fourth-place finish in the Premier League that secured their return to the Champions League for the 2025-26 season. The Blues have approached the Conference League with a seriousness that reflects their ambition to make history as the first club to win four different major UEFA competitions: the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup (1971, 1998), the UEFA Champions League (2012, 2021), the UEFA Europa League (2013, 2019), and now, potentially, the UEFA Conference League. Chelsea’s journey to the final has been marked by dominance, with their 38 goals in this season’s competition setting a single-season record for the tournament, introduced in 2021. Their squad depth, financial resources, and tactical discipline under Maresca have made them overwhelming favorites, even as they face a resilient Real Betis side led by the experienced Manuel Pellegrini. The contrast between Chelsea’s storied European pedigree and Betis’ underdog status adds intrigue to a final that could either cement Chelsea’s legacy or mark a historic breakthrough for the Seville-based club.
Chelsea’s path to the final has been relatively smooth, a testament to their squad’s quality and Maresca’s pragmatic approach. Despite their favorable run of opponents—FC Copenhagen (3-1 on aggregate), Legia Warsaw (4-2), and Djurgården (5-1)—the Blues have treated the competition with respect, using it as a platform to integrate younger players and rotate their extensive roster. The decision to leave out star playmaker Cole Palmer during the league phase, prioritizing his Premier League minutes, underscores the luxury of Chelsea’s depth. With 36 players used in the competition—more than any other team—Chelsea have showcased their ability to balance domestic and European commitments. Their attacking output has been staggering, with 16 different scorers contributing to their record-breaking goal tally. Marc Guiu, with six goals, has been their leading marksman in the Conference League, though Christopher Nkunku’s five goals and Nicolas Jackson’s potential return to the starting lineup add further firepower. Enzo Fernández, despite limited minutes (251), has been a creative force, with five assists and a goal involvement every 42 minutes, the best rate among players with at least 250 minutes in the competition. Chelsea’s ability to rotate while maintaining such potency speaks to Maresca’s meticulous planning and the club’s investment in a versatile squad. As they prepare for Wednesday’s final, Chelsea are expected to field a near-full-strength side, with Filip Jörgensen likely to continue in goal over Robert Sánchez, a nod to their European rotation strategy. The Blues’ recent form, highlighted by Levi Colwill’s decisive goal against Nottingham Forest on the final day of the Premier League season, suggests they are peaking at the right moment, brimming with confidence as they aim to add another trophy to their crowded cabinet.
Real Betis, by contrast, arrive in Wrocław as underdogs but with a sense of destiny. Under Manuel Pellegrini, the former Manchester City manager who has revitalized the club, Betis secured sixth place in La Liga, ensuring Europa League football for 2025-26 regardless of the final’s outcome. Their journey to the Conference League final has been more challenging than Chelsea’s, with victories over Gent (3-1), Vitória Guimarães (6-2), Jagiellonia Białystok (3-1), and Fiorentina (4-3) after a 15th-place finish in the league phase. Pellegrini, in his first major European final, becomes only the second Chilean coach to reach this stage, following Fernando Riera’s Benfica side in the 1963 European Cup. Betis’ campaign has been propelled by standout performances, particularly from loan signing Antony, who has rediscovered his form after a torrid spell at Manchester United. The Brazilian winger has contributed seven goal involvements (four goals, three assists) in eight Conference League appearances, a stark contrast to his meager output of two goals and no assists in 17 European games for United. Cédric Bakambu has been equally vital, his seven goals making him one of the competition’s top scorers, trailing only Jagiellonia Białystok’s Afimico Pululu (eight). With two assists to his name, Bakambu’s nine goal involvements place him among the tournament’s elite, second only to Celje’s Svit Seslar (10). Betis’ attacking threat, combined with Pellegrini’s tactical acumen, makes them a dangerous opponent, even if their historical record against English teams—one win, one draw, and six losses in eight meetings—suggests an uphill battle. Their lone victory against an English side came against Chelsea in the 2005-06 Champions League, a result that offers a glimmer of hope as they seek to upset the odds in their maiden European final.
Chelsea’s European pedigree gives them a psychological edge, but their recent struggles against Spanish opposition add a layer of uncertainty. The Blues have lost three of their last four UEFA competition matches against La Liga sides, all to Real Madrid between 2022 and 2023, matching the number of defeats they suffered in their previous 29 encounters with Spanish teams (11 wins, 15 draws). This recent dip contrasts with their otherwise stellar record in European finals under new managers. Since 1998, each of Chelsea’s last seven managers to contest a major European final has done so in their debut season, with five—Gianluca Vialli (1997-98 Cup Winners’ Cup), Roberto Di Matteo (2011-12 Champions League), Rafael Benítez (2012-13 Europa League), Maurizio Sarri (2018-19 Europa League), and Thomas Tuchel (2020-21 Champions League)—emerging victorious. Avram Grant’s loss in the 2007-08 Champions League final stands as the sole blemish. Maresca, in his first season, hopes to continue this tradition, leveraging Chelsea’s attacking depth and tactical flexibility. The Blues’ 38 goals in the Conference League reflect a relentless offensive approach, with their 16 different scorers highlighting a collective threat that Betis’ defense will struggle to contain. However, Betis’ own attacking prowess, led by Antony and Bakambu, ensures that Chelsea’s backline, anchored by Colwill and potentially Wesley Fofana, will need to be vigilant. The final promises a tactical chess match, with Maresca’s possession-based system facing Pellegrini’s pragmatic, counter-attacking setup, which has proven effective against stronger opponents.
The broader context of English-Spanish clashes in European finals adds further stakes to the encounter. Spanish sides have dominated their English counterparts, winning each of the last nine major European finals between the two nations. The last Premier League team to triumph over a La Liga side in a final was Liverpool, who edged Alavés 5-4 in the 2001 UEFA Cup. Chelsea, aware of this hoodoo, will need to defy history to lift the trophy. For Betis, the final represents a chance to join the ranks of Spain’s European elite. As the 12th Spanish club to reach a major European final, and the first since Villarreal’s 2021 Europa League triumph, Betis carry the weight of national pride. Their underdog status, combined with their attacking flair and Pellegrini’s experience, makes them a formidable opponent, even against a Chelsea side favored by their resources and form. The Tarczyński Arena, with its vibrant atmosphere, will provide a fitting stage for a final that pits Chelsea’s quest for historic supremacy against Betis’ dream of a first European crown.
In conclusion, Wednesday’s UEFA Conference League final is more than a clash of two teams; it’s a battle of narratives, histories, and ambitions. Chelsea, with their vast resources, record-breaking goal tally, and storied European legacy, aim to etch their name into the annals of football history as the first club to win four different major UEFA competitions. Maresca’s debut season has already delivered a Champions League return, and a victory in Wrocław would cement his place among Chelsea’s managerial greats. Real Betis, led by Pellegrini’s steady hand and buoyed by the resurgence of players like Antony and the goal-scoring prowess of Bakambu, stand on the cusp of a historic breakthrough. Their tougher path to the final and their status as Spain’s 12th club to reach this stage underscore their resilience and hunger. While Chelsea’s depth and attacking versatility make them favorites, Betis’ tactical discipline and attacking threats ensure a contest that could hinge on fine margins. As the Tarczyński Arena prepares to host this spectacle, the stage is set for a final that will either reinforce Chelsea’s European dominance or herald a new chapter in Betis’ history, potentially extending Spain’s stranglehold on English sides in European finals.
