Chelsea make Maresca history with unforgettable comeback in UEL final

Irish Daily Mirror

a day ago

Chelsea found their lethal touch in Poland, making history and ending Enzo Maresca's first season in charge on a high note with a resounding 4-1 victory over Real Betis in the Europa Conference League final.
The Blues travelled to Wrocław aware that a win would make them the only team in history to clinch all four Uefa titles - but they got off to the worst possible start.
It was Abde Ezzalzouli who fired home a low shot from the corner of the box after being expertly set up by a perfectly weighted reverse pass from former Real Madrid maestro, Isco. It seemed like more goals were inevitable.
The veteran Spanish midfielder continued to pull the strings as Betis threatened to run riot as Chelsea covered up the ropes. But their failure to land a knockout second open the door open for Chelsea, who restored parity through the impressive Enzo Fernandez.
Cole Palmer grabbed his second assist of the night moments later when he floated a perfect ball in for Nicolas Jackson to nudge Chelsea ahead. That set the stage for Jadon Sancho to step up and finish the game off in style with a fine curled shot inside the final 10 minutes before Moises Caicedo grabbed a fourth in stoppage time.
Chelsea knew that victory in Wroclaw would make them the first club to win all four major Uefa honours - but that golden opportunity almost passed them by.
The Blues' second half salvage mission ensured they travelled back to London with another European gong. And while Chelsea have more prestigious trophies in their silverware cabinet, 'completing the set' in Europe is a pretty cool blag.
Cole Palmer often pockets the lion's share of the plaudits when things go well for Chelsea but Enzo Fernandez has silently grown into a real pillar of strength for the Blues this term.
A stellar World Cup campaign earned him a blockbuster transfer to Stamford Bridge but he looked a shell of the player that marshalled Argentina to a world title. He's been a player reborn, though, this term and he stepped up in to deliver in another big moment to pull Chelsea back from the brink.
The Blues star has now broken through the 20 goal contribution milestone - and his header was the perfect way to cap a fine campaign.
Chelsea were almost blown away by Real Betis inside the first half hour - and that was largely down to their dominance on the flanks.
Malo Gusto, playing in the inverted full-back role which has become English football's shiny new toy, won't be rushing to watch the game back and was predictably withdrawn at the break. Real Betis targeted the space that the Blues right-back vacated every time he drifted infield to great effect in the first half; so much so that Chelsea were fortunate to still be in the game at half-time. Unfortunately for Betis, they lived to regret their failure to kill Chelsea off...
The enigma that is Antony has enjoyed a remarkable renaissance since joining Betis on loan in January to leave his Manchester United struggles behind. In fact, the winger has been so impressive that United could end up fielding interest from multiples suitors, which did not feel likely back at the turn of the year.
All eyes were on Betis' dangerman in Wroclaw but, in truth, he was largely anonymous with Isco instead taking centre-stage. The veteran was Betis' chief orchestrator as they ran rings around Chelsea in the first half and deserved to be on the winning side before his team's second half collapse.
But Antony did not look like the same player who has dumbfounded his Premier League critics. He failed to influence the game and, while he has seemingly found an environment in which he can flourish, his future is unclear amid doubts that Betis can finance a permanent move.
Progress is rarely linear and in the case of Enzo Maresca and Chelsea, it's been a mixed campaign. The Italian had already ticked the most important box before even stepping off the plane in Poland, though, by clinching a golden ticket to the Champions League.
If we're being blunt, finishing in the top four and winning this competition was the mission and he's achieved it. Chelsea haven't always convinced in terms of performances level but, to Maresca's credit, his changes in the second half proved influential.
Just a few weeks ago it felt like the jury was still out on the former Leicester City chief. For now, Maresca gets a pass.