Real Betis handed 48-hour head start as UEFA faces pressure to act—Chelsea manager demands justice ahead of Wroclaw showdown!
FULL STORY:
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has erupted in frustration after discovering that Real Betis will enjoy a full 48 hours more rest than his side ahead of the UEFA Europa Conference League final. While Chelsea face a decisive Premier League clash against Nottingham Forest on Sunday, Betis wrap up their La Liga season Friday night, giving them ample time to recover and prepare.
Maresca, eyeing his first European trophy with the Blues, didn’t hold back:
> “It’s not normal. You cannot allow a team 48 hours [more rest] when we play in a European final.”
The issue stems from Premier League scheduling rigidity, where all final-day fixtures are played simultaneously to preserve fairness in domestic outcomes. In contrast, La Liga showed flexibility, moving Betis’ match earlier—since it holds no significance in the table.
This scheduling controversy could heavily influence the outcome in Wroclaw, especially considering Chelsea’s Champions League qualification hopes hinge on Sunday’s result. Maresca cannot afford to rotate key players like Palmer, Caicedo, or Enzo Fernández, who’ve all clocked over 45 games this season.
UEFA’s own data backs Maresca’s concern: teams with more rest win over 60% of knockout ties. While Chelsea remain favourites based on squad strength and form—leading the competition in goals scored—the physical toll could level the playing field dangerously.
Maresca has now called on UEFA to enforce equitable scheduling across domestic leagues in future seasons. With the stakes this high, the Blues will need more than talent—they’ll need resilience and perhaps, divine favour.
Stay tuned for final updates and tactical previews before the s
howdown in Poland.
