Enzo Maresca revealed that he needed to persuade his Chelsea squad this season that the UEFA Conference League is the “best competition in the world” as they gear up for Wednesday’s final against Real Betis.
The Premier League side aims to conclude their campaign on a high note in Wroclaw, having already secured a spot in next season’s Champions League.
A victory over Betis in Poland would make Chelsea the first club to claim all four major UEFA titles, adding to their previous honours including the Champions League, the Europa League, and the now-discontinued Cup Winners’ Cup.
In his inaugural season as Chelsea’s manager, Maresca mentioned that he had to underline the significance of Europe’s third-tier competition to his players.
“Probably the most challenging aspect of the Conference (League) this season has been convincing the players that it was, in fact, the best competition in the world for us,” he told reporters on Tuesday.
“The reason being it’s the competition we’re involved in.”
Chelsea, who have won the Champions League twice, have not lifted any silverware since their triumph in 2021 under former manager Thomas Tuchel, who now leads the England national team.
“We cannot participate in the Champions League if we’re in the Conference (League), nor can we enter the Europa (League). We are in the Conference, so for us, it’s the paramount competition, and we need to aim to win it,” he stated.
“Should we win, it would be significant, particularly as we continue to cultivate a winning mentality.”
Chelsea, the pre-tournament favourites, have reached the final in impressive fashion, notching a record 38 goals in the competition and winning 11 out of their 12 matches.
Maresca, 45, will face off against 71-year-old Manuel Pellegrini, whom he regards as a football “father figure” after playing under him at Malaga and serving as an assistant at West Ham.
The Seville-based club, reaching their first European final, finished sixth in LaLiga.
‘Outburst’
Maresca took aim at his critics after his youthful team secured a fourth-place finish in the Premier League on Sunday, having defeated Nottingham Forest 1-0, and even let slip an expletive.
The average age of Chelsea’s starting lineup is the youngest ever recorded in a single Premier League season.
His side was close to the eventual champions Liverpool in mid-December before encountering a rough patch, though results improved as the season drew to a close.
On Tuesday, he referred to Sunday’s emotional reaction as an “outburst” brought on by the circumstances.
“From our perspective, the critics weren’t addressing things appropriately,” he said.
“And the reason being, yes, we are young and indeed the youngest squad in Premier League history, but at the same time, they are all men.”
“So I also utilised what the critics had said to convey, ‘Today (Sunday) is an opportunity for us to demonstrate that we’re not just young; we’re mature enough, capable of competing, and capable of making the right decisions’.”
Maresca, formerly of Leicester, expressed that securing a Champions League place for the upcoming season was a considerable relief.
“We feel much more at ease,” he said. “I’ve mentioned several times this season that, for me, it was already a successful season for various reasons.
“It could evolve into a truly exceptional season if we finish in the top four or five and manage to win the final tomorrow.”
“The first objective has been accomplished. We achieved that last Sunday and, fingers crossed, we can accomplish the second one tomorrow.”
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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