Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has voiced his frustration over what he perceives as an unfair scheduling advantage granted to Conference League final opponents Real Betis, who will enjoy two extra days of rest ahead of the crucial match.
The Blues are set to face Real Betis in the final on Wednesday, May 28, after convincingly defeating Djurgarden 5-1 on aggregate in the semi-finals. However, Maresca is displeased that Betis will conclude their domestic season earlier on Friday, May 23 against Valencia while Chelsea wrap up their Premier League campaign on Sunday, May 25 against Nottingham Forest.
“I’m not happy, 100%,” Maresca said during a press conference. “You cannot allow one team 48 hours more than the other when you’re playing a European final. Either both teams play on Sunday, or the schedule needs to be adjusted. I don’t know if it’s down to La Liga, the Premier League, or UEFA, but it’s not normal and it’s certainly not fair.”
Chelsea are still fighting to secure a Champions League spot for next season. Currently sitting fourth in the Premier League, they could still slip out of the top five depending on their result against Forest and other outcomes on the final day.
By contrast, Real Betis are no longer in contention for a Champions League place, allowing them to potentially focus all their energy on the Conference League final.
Following the final in Athens, Chelsea will shift their attention to the newly revamped Club World Cup, set to take place in the United States later this summer.
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