The curtain is set to fall on the 2024/25 UEFA Europa Conference League season with a final that promises both drama and history. At the Tarczynski Arena in Wrocław, Poland, Premier League giants Chelsea will take on La Liga’s surprise package, Real Betis, in a battle that could redefine legacies for both clubs.
Chelsea Eye Historic European Treble
For Chelsea, this isn’t just a cup final; it’s a shot at history. Having already won both the UEFA Champions League and Europa League twice, the Blues are now just one game away from becoming the first club in history to win all three major European competitions. A victory in the Conference League would complete their continental collection.
It’s a high-stakes opportunity for new manager Enzo Maresca, who has had a turbulent first season at the helm. Despite spending over £1 billion on new players since 2022, Chelsea’s domestic campaign has been inconsistent. They eventually secured a fourth-place finish in the Premier League and a spot in next season’s Champions League. Still, their early exits from other competitions have left fans hungry for silverware.
This final, then, is more than just another game; it’s a chance for Maresca to win over the supporters and lay down a marker for a new era. With young talents like Romeo Lavia returning from injury, Moisés Caicedo finding form in midfield, and Marc Cucurella bringing the confidence of a European champion, Chelsea are looking more balanced and composed at just the right time.
Real Betis: A Dream Final Decades in the Making
On the other side, Real Betis are writing a fairytale of their own. The Spanish club hasn’t tasted league glory since 1935 and only made one previous appearance in the Champions League, some 30 years ago. For their loyal supporters, this European final marks one of the brightest moments in their long history.
Guided by former Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini, Betis have undergone a quiet revolution. Pellegrini has built a disciplined, technically gifted team that punches above its weight. Central to their success are two rejuvenated stars, Isco, the ex-Real Madrid midfield magician who was recently named La Liga’s Player of the Month in March, and Brazilian winger Antony, on loan from Manchester United, whose attacking spark down the right flank has troubled defenders all season.
Betis secured a sixth-place finish in La Liga, booking their return to the Europa League next season regardless of the result in this final. Still, lifting the Conference League trophy would be the club’s most significant modern achievement and a fitting reward for a team that has captured hearts across Europe.
Head-to-Head: Slight Edge for the Blues
Chelsea and Betis have met four times in European competition, with the Blues holding a slight edge, three wins to Betis’ one. Their last meetings came two decades ago in the Champions League group stage, where each side took home a win. But with entirely new squads, managers, and ambitions, past form means little in this new chapter.
While some might downplay the importance of the Conference League, this final is rich with meaning. For Chelsea, it’s about pride, redemption, and making history. For Betis, it’s about proving that dreams can still come true, even for clubs that have long lived in the shadows of bigger rivals.
In the end, only one team will leave Wrocław with the trophy. But both clubs, one rebuilding its legacy, the other chasing a lifelong dream, have everything to play for.
