Chelsea Manager Criticizes Betis Extra Preparation Ahead Conference League Final

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has strongly criticized the scheduling of the UEFA Conference League final, expressing frustration that Real Betis have been given 48 hours more rest and preparation time after their La Liga match was moved from Sunday to Friday. Chelsea, in contrast, must play their crucial Premier League finale against Nottingham Forest on Sunday, a match that will determine their qualification for next season's Champions League. Maresca deems this scheduling unfair and has called for UEFA to implement clearer rules to prevent such disparities, noting that neither La Liga nor the Premier League share the same fixture scheduling traditions. Despite UEFA's limited control over domestic league fixtures, Maresca insists that equal preparation time is essential for fairness in a European final. He also confirmed that goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen, who has been Chelsea's main keeper throughout the competition, will start in the final. Maresca’s concerns highlight the tension between domestic league scheduling and European competition fairness ahead of the final in Wroclaw.