Enzo Maresca is determined to make history with Chelsea as they prepare to face Real Betis in the UEFA Europa Conference League final on Wednesday in Wroclaw, Poland.
Having secured a fourth-place finish in the Premier League with a 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest on Sunday, Chelsea have already booked their spot in next season’s Champions League. But Maresca is now focused on adding a unique piece of silverware to the club’s trophy cabinet.
A victory over Betis would make Chelsea the first club to win all five of UEFA’s major men’s competitions. The Blues have previously lifted the Champions League, Europa League, UEFA Super Cup, and the now-defunct Cup Winners’ Cup. Winning the Conference League would complete the set.
Maresca’s debut season at Stamford Bridge has been a turbulent one. After replacing Mauricio Pochettino, the Italian manager saw his youthful side challenge eventual champions Liverpool in the early stages of the season, only to suffer a mid-season slump. However, a strong finish saw them secure a top-four league position.
Speaking after the Forest victory, Maresca addressed his critics head-on:
“All those who believed we were too young or not good enough were wrong. They thought they had all the answers, but the results speak for themselves.”
Despite some fans questioning his conservative tactics throughout the season, Maresca told UEFA.com that winning the Conference League would transform a good season into a memorable one: “It would be a way of saying we’re back that Chelsea is once again a winning club in Europe. That’s our goal.”
Chelsea, who have not lifted a trophy since the Todd Boehly-led consortium took over from Roman Abramovich in 2022, were considered favourites from the outset of the Conference League campaign. They have won 11 out of 12 matches in the competition so far.
Maresca, 45, has utilized the tournament to rotate his squad, giving chances to young and fringe players. He has hinted at further changes for the final, underlining the importance of fresh legs in pursuit of the club’s historic fifth UEFA title.
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