Chelsea win Conference League: Maresca and the Cole Palmer dance

Enzo Maresca's substitutions and Cole Palmer's brilliance helped Chelsea come from behind to beat Betis 4-1 and win the 2024/25 Conference League title.

1. Real Betis ' European dream is over. The team, which was revived by veterans who seemed to be on the other side of their careers, lost to the club that invested the most in recent years.

Chelsea is the first club to win all European cups. Photo: CFC

In other words, the big difference between Betis and Chelsea is money. This factor became the basis for The Blues to end the empty period and open a new era with Enzo Maresca on the technical bench, Enzo Fernandez and Cole Palmer on the pitch.

Everything seemed to be going smoothly for Betis, who were in control of the final, until Abde Ezzalzouli picked up an injury in the 52nd minute.

Betis collapsed like a sand castle. Immediately, their weaknesses were exposed against Chelsea, who had just won a thrilling Champions League ticket .

The London side overwhelmed Manuel Pellegrini's side with goals from Enzo Fernandez, Nicolas Jackson, Jadon Sancho and Moises Caicedo.

Above all, Cole Palmer has inspired the Blues to an explosive display. Although he has yet to score in European competition for Chelsea, the Tarczynski Arena in Wroclaw – dubbed the Venice of Poland – is a stage made just for him.

Isco exploded in the first 30 minutes, but Betis collapsed after the break. Photo: EFE

Weak in goal and on both wings, plus exhausted Cardoso and Isco, Betis could only give up.

2. In the Betis dressing room, Miki Roque's shirt is hung proudly.

The former Betis player, who died in 2012, was a spiritual symbol for the club and its fans. He was a teammate of goalkeeper Adrian, and a role model for overcoming illness.

Betis wanted to carry that spirit into the Conference League final. With emotion, belief and excellent form, “Los Verdiblancos” entered the match bravely.

The La Liga representative pressed high and put on intense pressure. Chelsea struggled to escape the pressure. Abde warned with a shot in the 5th minute and opened the scoring in the 9th minute from a classy assist from Isco.

Chelsea came back with 4 goals in just the last 25 minutes. Photo: EFE

Abde played extremely well, constantly tormenting Gusto. Even center-back Bartra advanced to attack, with a shot that Jorgensen had to save with difficulty.

The match was completely in Betis' favor. Chelsea were almost paralyzed, only Palmer was the bright spot, creating something different for the team.

Betis almost had a second. Abde broke through like no one was there, passing to Cardoso, but the latter shot just wide of the post after the ball hit a Chelsea defender.

From the 30th minute, the game gradually changed. Betis lost control, Chelsea dominated the ball but still lacked ideas to penetrate.

Cole Palmer performs at a high level. Photo: CFC

3. In the beginning of the second half, Abde's injury caused Betis to collapse. Chelsea regained control of the game, with accurate substitution decisions by coach Maresca.

Cardoso and Fornals were constantly losing possession in midfield, while Betis' wings were also weakened. Cole Palmer exploited this well.

First, near the middle of the field, he drifted to the right wing, held the ball in the middle and passed it like a set piece for Enzo Fernandez to head the ball home to tie the score at 1-1. Immediately after, Palmer flicked his heel past him and assisted Jackson to head the ball close to the goal.

It all came down to a minute. The way Betis started the game made them tired. On the contrary, Chelsea played better and better.

Jadon Sancho finished with class in the 83rd minute, then Enzo Maresca assisted Caicedo to take a low shot from the 16m50 line to seal the score at 4-1.

Maresca is credited with bringing Chelsea back to glory. Photo: CFC

The explosive second half reflected the football Enzo Maresca has been playing this season, with Palmer at the helm. With two key passes in the final, the former Man City man has 11 assists in all competitions this season.

A new page in European football history has just been written. Chelsea are the first team in history to win the Champions League/C1 Cup, Europa League/UEFA Cup, Cup Winners' Cup (formerly Cup C2) and now the Conference League.

“Hopefully, this can be the starting point to build a winning spirit,” said Enzo Maresca after helping Liverpool end their trophyless run.

This latest title gives Chelsea confidence to compete for the Premier League and Champions League titles next season. First, Maresca and his team will enjoy the joy with London fans and then go to the US to compete in the FIFA Club World Cup.

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/chelsea-vo-dich-conference-league-maresca-va-vu-dieu-cole-palmer-2405969.html