Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has voiced strong concerns over what he deems an “unfair advantage” given to Spanish side Real Betis ahead of their UEFA Conference League final clash.
The Italian tactician is displeased that Betis’ final La Liga match of the season has been moved forward to Friday, offering them an additional 48 hours of rest before the European showdown on Wednesday in Wroclaw.
In contrast, Chelsea are set to play their final Premier League fixture on Sunday against Nottingham Forest.
Speaking at a pre-match briefing, Maresca didn’t hide his frustration: “I’m not happy, one hundred per cent. You cannot allow a team 48 hours more than the other team when you play a European final.”
The situation is further complicated by the stakes involved for Chelsea. The Blues are in a tight race to finish in the Premier League’s top five, which would secure a Champions League berth.
They currently sit fourth, level on points with fifth-placed Aston Villa but ahead on goal difference, and just one point above seventh-placed Nottingham Forest.
Meanwhile, Real Betis head into their Friday fixture against Valencia with no pressure, having already secured a sixth-place finish in La Liga.
Maresca acknowledged the complexity of the matter, noting that UEFA has limited influence over domestic league scheduling.
The Premier League maintains a policy requiring all final-day matches to be played simultaneously on Sunday afternoon, while La Liga does not share that tradition. Betis’ game is the only one moved up in Spain’s top flight.
“I don’t know if it’s from La Liga, from the Premier League or from UEFA,” Maresca said.
“If I ask you, is it normal to play a final where a team has 48 hours more than the other team? It’s not normal. It’s not something correct.”
Asked whether UEFA should enforce clearer scheduling standards, he responded emphatically: “Absolutely yes.”
The final marks a personal reunion for Maresca, who faces off against former mentor Manuel Pellegrini.
Maresca played under Pellegrini at Malaga and later worked with him as an assistant at West Ham United. Their close relationship continues to this day.
“I define him like a professional dad,” Maresca said. “Many times when I’ve needed to take a big decision, we are in contact. I spoke with Manuel yesterday. We are so close.”
Maresca also confirmed that goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen, who has featured throughout Chelsea’s European campaign, will start in goal for the final, keeping out Robert Sanchez, who has struggled with form.
“Filip is going to play the final because he played all the competition, so it would be unfair not to play in the final,” he said.