Real Betis deservedly in front against Chelsea in Conference League final

BBC News

28-05-2025

Update:
Date: 45 + 1 min
Title: Post
Content: Real Betis 1-0 Chelsea
The corner comes to nothing.
Update:
Date: 45 mins
Title: Post
Content: Real Betis 1-0 Chelsea
Chelsea win a corner right at the end of the first half after Enzo Fernandez's attempt takes a deflection. A minimum of one minute additional time has been signalled.
Update:
Date: 20:46 BST
Title: Chelsea fans want Reece James on
Content: Real Betis 1-0 Chelsea
Nizaar KinsellaBBC Sport football news reporter
Chelsea fans are now chanting "Reece James, he's one of our own" as he warms up alongside Levi Colwill, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Tosin Adarabioyo and Jadon Sancho.
Manager Enzo Maresca surely be considering at least a double substitution at half-time given how poor his side have been.
At the heart of the poor performance is how Real Betis have been able to punish sloppy passes into midfield from the defenders and break at pace.
It could be argued that the three changes in defence from the 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest have impacted Chelsea. French duo Malo Gusto and Benoit Badiashile have been poor.
Update:
Date: 44 mins
Title: Post
Content: Real Betis 1-0 Chelsea
Chelsea fans are singing the name of Reece James who is warming up. Will Enzo Maresca make changes at half-time? Malo Gusto has been off it - but he's not the only one in blue who hasn't turned up for this final.
Update:
Date: 42 mins
Title: Post
Content: Real Betis 1-0 Chelsea
The free-kick is pumped into the Chelsea box and Filip Jorgensen claws it away. It falls to a green and white shirt but the attempt is blocked.
Update:
Date: 20:42 BST
Title: Get Involved
Content: #bbcfootball, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
Isco has that ability that so many of the Spanish great midfielders have had, to make the game look effortless.
Em
Update:
Date: 41 mins
Title: Post
Content: Real Betis 1-0 Chelsea
By the way, Isco looks a class above anyone else on the pitch.
Moises Caicedo clatters into the former Real Madrid player from behind and Real Betis have a free-kick in a decent position.
Update:
Date: 35 mins
Title: Post
Content: Real Betis 1-0 Chelsea
All the noise is coming from those in green and white in the stands.
Real Betis fans have brought the noise - and their players are putting on a show for them.
Suddenly, a glimpse of something positive for Chelsea as Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson combine but it it is cleared.
Update:
Date: 20:38 BST
Title: Chelsea have been really poor
Content: Real Betis 1-0 Chelsea
Nizaar KinsellaBBC Sport football news reporter in Wroclaw
This first 35 minutes is everything Enzo Maresca's critics say his football is.
Chelsea have been slow, ponderous and unthreatening while they have been ripped apart on the break.
As he faces his mentor Manuel Pellegrini, Maresca has been outdone tactically despite hoarding around 66 percent of the possession of the ball.
Of course, there is plenty of time, a strong bench and a half-time interval to make the necessary tweaks. The main positive for Chelsea is that they are only losing 1-0.
Update:
Date: 20:36 BST
Title: Get Involved
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If Real Betis don't make their dominance pay with another goal then I can see Chelsea coming back.
Alan
Update:
Date: 20:36 BST
Title: 'Chelsea in first gear'
Content: Real Betis 1-0 Chelsea
Mark SchwarzerFormer Chelsea goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live at the Tarczynski Arena
Chelsea are still in first gear. Real Betis are timing it well and they're closing down in numbers.
Update:
Date: 20:35 BST
Title: Post
Content: Real Betis 1-0 Chelsea
Lucy WardFormer Leeds striker on TNT Sports
Nicola Jackson has been quite isolated in those forward areas. They have tried to reach him with a few long passes but other than that he has not had much of a presence in the game.
Update:
Date: 31 mins
Title: Post
Content: Real Betis 1-0 Chelsea
Noni Madueke attempts a flick but only succeeds in giving possession back to Betis. Adrian has had one save to make so far - and that was a shot that was straight at the Real Betis keeper.
Update:
Date: 20:33 BST
Title: 'Betis defending making Chelsea predictable'
Content: Real Betis 1-0 Chelsea
Lucy WardFormer Leeds striker on TNT Sports
It is a little bit predictable from Chelsea but the way Real Betis are defending is making it predictable.
Update:
Date: 28 mins
Title: Post
Content: Real Betis 1-0 Chelsea
Another burst of pace inside the Chelsea box by Abde Ezzalzouli but this time Malo Gusto sticks to his task and Betis have a corner.
Update:
Date: 26 mins
Title: Post
Content: Real Betis 1-0 Chelsea
Real Betis so far:
37.5% possession.
Five attempts.
Two on target.
One goal.
Also... they're a great watch.
Update:
Date: 20:28 BST
Title: Maresca is animated on the sidelines
Content: Real Betis 1-0 Chelsea
Nizaar KinsellaBBC Sport football news reporter in Wroclaw
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca is animated on the touchline.
The Italian is gesturing, shouting and reacting to decisions as he attempts to move his players into the right position.
A huge problem for Chelsea has been their sloppiness on the ball and their susceptibility to counter-attacks after making five changes from the win over Nottingham Forest.
Betis, meanwhile, look uninhibited and players like Isco, Marc Bartra and Antony are expressing themselves.
Update:
Date: 20:28 BST
Title: Get Involved
Content: #bbcfootball, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
Sam: Quite the contrast this final is, Betis have some golden oldies like Isco, Bartra, Adrian & Rodriguez v a Chelsea side full of youth/young players & so far experience is winning
Chelsea are far too passive. And I don't think Maresca has the experience/talent to turn it around.
Harry, Maidstone
Update:
Date: 20:27 BST
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Content: #bbcfootball, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
Arjun: Malo Gusto is having a shocker. He'll be off at half time if this keeps up.
Update:
Date: 23 mins
Title: Post
Content: Real Betis 1-0 Chelsea
Real Betis are all tricks and flicks.
They're turning on the style for their travelling fans in Poland.
Abde Ezzalzouli is causing all sorts of problems.