Enzo Maresca Lands First Trophy as Chelsea Crush Real Betis 4-1 in Conference League Final

Chelsea’s new era under Enzo Maresca got off to a dream start as the Blues stormed to a commanding 4-1 victory over Spanish side Real Betis in the UEFA Europa Conference League final. The triumph, which took place in front of a roaring crowd at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, handed the former Leicester City boss his first piece of silverware with the London club just months into his tenure.

After a turbulent 2023/24 season that saw managerial changes and inconsistent performances, Chelsea fans were desperate for a sign of revival. Under Maresca, they got exactly that. The Italian tactician, a former assistant to Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, was brought in to bring tactical stability and a fresh philosophy — and the early results are encouraging.

Chelsea came flying out of the blocks, showcasing intensity and attacking flair from the first whistle. It didn’t take long for the breakthrough. Cole Palmer, continuing his impressive form, opened the scoring in the 15th minute with a tidy finish after linking up brilliantly with Enzo Fernandez in midfield. The goal settled Chelsea nerves and allowed them to dictate play.

Real Betis struggled to match Chelsea’s tempo, and just before halftime, Nicolas Jackson doubled the Blues' lead with a powerful strike from the edge of the box. Betis pulled one back early in the second half through Isco, briefly sparking hopes of a comeback for the Spanish outfit. However, those hopes were quickly dashed.

Jadon Sancho came off the bench to restore Chelsea’s one-goal cushion, finishing off a slick counterattack in the 68th minute. The icing on the cake came late on, when academy graduate as Moises Caicedo fired in Chelsea’s fourth goal, sealing the club’s first European trophy since their UEFA Champions League triumph in 2021.

The win marks a significant milestone for Maresca, who has been praised for instilling a clear identity and tactical structure in a short period. Speaking after the match, the 44-year-old expressed his pride:

"This is just the beginning. The players have shown incredible belief and discipline. Lifting this trophy is a reward for the work we’ve done together, and hopefully, it's a sign of more to come."

For Chelsea, the victory could signal the start of a more stable and successful chapter. While the Conference League may not be the most prestigious of UEFA competitions, it offered the perfect platform for a young, evolving squad to build confidence and gain momentum.

With silverware already in hand, Enzo Maresca has won over the Chelsea faithful and delivered a message to the rest of Europe: the Blues are rebuilding — and they mean business.