Chelsea's Enzo Maresca Voices Frustration Over Scheduling Ahead Of Conference League Final Against Real Betis

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Chelsea's head coach, Enzo Maresca, has expressed his dissatisfaction with the scheduling ahead of the Conference League final. Chelsea will compete against Real Betis on May 28 in Wroclaw, Poland. The preparation time for both teams varies significantly due to their league schedules. Chelsea's last Premier League match is against Nottingham Forest, while Betis concludes their LaLiga season against Valencia.

Maresca believes that both teams should have equal preparation time for fairness. "I am not happy, 100%," Maresca stated during a news conference. "You cannot allow a team 48 hours more time when they are playing a European final." He emphasised that either Chelsea should play on Friday or Betis on Sunday to level the playing field.

The upcoming match marks Chelsea's first European final since their Champions League victory in 2020-21 under Thomas Tuchel. Maresca insists that there should be rules ensuring equal rest periods before such significant matches. "It is not correct," he said, questioning whether the responsibility lies with the Premier League, LaLiga, or UEFA.

Chelsea has a rich history in European competitions, having won the Champions League, Europa League, Cup Winners' Cup, and UEFA Super Cup twice each. Maresca highlighted the importance of securing another European trophy for the club and its supporters. "The main target is to win a European competition with Chelsea," he added.

Filip Jorgensen will start as goalkeeper against Betis in the final. Jorgensen has been pivotal throughout Chelsea's Conference League campaign, keeping five clean sheets and conceding eight goals in 13 appearances. Maresca confirmed his selection by stating, "Filip is going to play the final because he played all the competition."

Maresca feels it would be unfair to exclude Jorgensen from such an important match after his consistent performances. "This game will be Filip plus 10 players," he mentioned, indicating that while other positions are undecided, Jorgensen's place is secure due to his contributions.

The anticipation builds as Chelsea aims to add another prestigious title to their collection. The club's focus remains on achieving success in Europe once again, reinforcing their status as a formidable force in international football.