Latest news with #Sevilla
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Real Betis president declares 'war' with bitter swipe after Enzo Maresca message
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca received a message of congratulations from his former employers after his side swept aside Real Betis 4-1 to win the Conference League Real Betis have refreshed tensions with Sevilla after their rivals congratulated Chelsea for their victory in the Conference League final. Chelsea put on an impressive display in the second half to come from a goal behind to run out deserved 4-1 winners in Poland on Wednesday night. Abde Ezzalzouli put Betis ahead in the ninth minute with a cool finish, but the Spanish side were blown away after the break. Goals from Enzo Fernandez, Nicolas Jackson, Jadon Sancho and Moises Caicedo saw the Blues become the first side to win all of the UEFA competitions and end their season on a high. It was a bitter blow for Betis, who were playing in their first European final in the club's 117-year history. Their defeat was noted by Sevilla, who sparked some beef on social media with a cheeky post. They wrote on X: "Congratulations to our beloved Enzo Maresca on his first European title as a coach." Chelsea boss Maresca spent four seasons with Sevilla as a player, making over 100 appearances and winning two UEFA Cups, but the message didn't go down well with Betis. Club president Angel Haro couldn't resist having a pop back at their cross-city rivals, who finished 17th in La Liga this season, just one point above the relegation zone. 'I haven't seen it [the post], but they're now in another war,' Haro said after the game. 'We're growing, focusing on doing well next year, and they're in a very different war from ours.' Asked if his club would have done a similar social media post, Haro replied: "Well, if it were up to me ... Well, never mind, I also congratulate Sevilla on staying in the first division this year.' Chelsea were the heavy favourites coming into the match and their strength and depth proved the difference in the second half as Cole Palmer set up their first two goals with great crosses. 'We couldn't maintain the rhythm we expected,' said Betis manager Manuel Pellegrini. 'It was a tough opponent. A final rout that I don't think reflects the difference between the two teams, "We mustn't forget that we were facing Chelsea. I'm disappointed that we outplayed them in the first half but then let it slip in the second half.' Betis defender Marc Bartra added: 'In the second half, we probably needed to keep pressing higher. It's a source of pride to see the fans like this. I love this club for the way they always support us, the way they cheer us on. 'It's a source of pride even in defeat. It says a lot about this club. It seems like the season is worthless now, but we'll appreciate it more as time goes on."
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
👀 "Our dear Enzo": Sevilla congratulate Maresca on Conference triumph
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here. The rivalry between Real Betis and Sevilla knows no bounds. And so Sevilla has hurried to congratulate Maresca for Chelsea's victory over Betis in the Conference League final. Enhorabuena a nuestro querido Enzo Maresca por su primer título europeo como técnico.#UECLfinal — Sevilla Fútbol Club (@SevillaFC) May 28, 2025 "Congratulations to our dear Enzo on his first European title as a coach," reads a tweet that adds salt to Betis' wound. 📸 Stuart Franklin - 2025 Getty Images
The Sun
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Antony bursts into tears after Conference League final loss to Chelsea as Man Utd flop is comforted by Jadon Sancho
ANTONY burst into tears after Real Betis suffered defeat in the Conference League final. The Spanish side were ahead at half-time but Chelsea fought back to win 4-1. 2 2 Antony, who is on loan from Manchester United, was seen sobbing at full-time. Jadon Sancho rushed over to his old team-mate during the celebrations to console him. Several Betis stars were also seen crying including former West Ham duo Adrian and Pablo Fornals. THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY..
Metro
2 days ago
- Sport
- Metro
Spanish teams' record in major finals is unreal ahead of Chelsea vs Real Betis
Chelsea are firm favourites to beat Real Betis and win the Europa Conference League on Wednesday night, but they will have to break an incredible streak of Spanish sides in major finals. The Blues take on the La Liga outfit in Wroclaw, Poland with both sides looking to end their season on a high by adding a European trophy to their list of honours. This is the first time a Spanish side has reached the final of the Europa Conference League, but they have made it to plenty of other major showpieces in international and club football. Across the World Cup, European Championship, Champions League and Europa League/UEFA Cup the last 27 finals featuring a Spanish team have had a Spanish winner. Four of those showpieces have been all-Spanish affairs, but 23 have seen either Spain or a La Liga team beat a non-Spanish side. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we'll send you so we can get football news tailored to you. The last time a Spanish team was beaten by a non-Spanish side in a major final is all the way back in 2001 when Valencia lost in the Champions League showpiece on penalties to Bayern Munich. The same year, just a week earlier, Liverpool also downed Alaves in the UEFA Cup final 5-4 after a golden goal in extra-time. It was so long ago that Steffen Effenberg scored for Bayern Munich in that Champions League final and Gary McAllister was on the score sheet for Liverpool in the UEFA Cup final win. Since then English teams have come out on the wrong side of finals against Spanish sides 10 times. The likes of Manchester United and Arsenal have lost Champions League finals to Spanish opponents, Liverpool and Fulham have been among the beaten teams in Europa League finals and England lost to Spain in the Euro 2024 showpiece last year. Chelsea, though, have not been beaten on this epic run of Spanish success in finals. Real Madrid 2-1 Bayer Leverkusen – 2002 Champions League Final Valencia 2-0 Marseille – 2004 UEFA Cup Final Sevilla 4-0 Middlesbrough – 2006 UEFA Cup Final Barcelona 2-1 Arsenal – 2006 Champions League Final Sevilla 2-2 Espanyol (3-1 pens) – 2007 UEFA Cup Final Spain 1-0 Germany – Euro 2008 Final Barcelona 2-0 Manchester United – 2009 Champions League Final Atlético Madrid 2-1 Fulham (AET) – 2010 Europa League Final Spain 1-0 Netherlands (aet) – 2010 World Cup Final Barcelona 3-1 Manchester United – 2011 Champions League Final Atlético Madrid 3-0 Athletic Bilbao – 2012 Europa League Final Spain 4-0 Italy – Euro 2012 Final Sevilla 0-0 Benfica (4-2 pens) – 2014 Europa League Final Real Madrid 4-1 Atlético Madrid (aet) – 2014 Champions League Final Sevilla 3-2 Dnipro – 2015 Europa League Final Barcelona 3-1 Juventus – 2015 Champions League Final Sevilla 3-1 Liverpool – 2016 Europa League Final Real Madrid 1-1 Atlético Madrid (5-3 pens) – 2016 Champions League Final Real Madrid 4-1 Juventus – 2017 Champions League Final Atlético Madrid 3-0 Marseille – 2018 Europa League Final Real Madrid 3-1 Liverpool – 2018 Champions League Final Sevilla 3-2 Inter Milan – 2020 Europa League Final Villarreal 1-1 Manchester United (11-10 pens) – 2021 Europa League Final Real Madrid 1-0 Liverpool – 2022 Champions League Final Sevilla 1-1 Roma (4-1 pens) – 2023 Europa League Final Real Madrid 2-0 Borussia Dortmund – 2024 Champions League Final Spain 2-1 England – Euro 2024 Final Chelsea have the chance to break the long-running streak and manager Enzo Maresca says they will do so 'at any cost' after securing Champions League football on the final day of the Premier League season on Sunday. 'The message over the last 48 hours has been, 'We did something important, but if we want to confirm that we are becoming an important club again, we need to show the desire to win the game and the trophy',' he said ahead of the Real Betis clash. More Trending 'So it's job done, fantastic, and we're happy. But tomorrow is a different game, a final, and we want to win at any cost. 'Every day we have something to prove, no doubt. What we have done [qualifying for the Champions League] is done. Now we have to prove ourselves again tomorrow. 'We have played many games this season in this competition, now we have just one more. 'For sure, for me personally [there is something to prove], but the message to the players is exactly same. Every day is a chance to improve, and we want to compete for titles.' MORE: John Terry speaks out on Chelsea fans' frustrations with Enzo Maresca MORE: Chelsea rejected by £50m transfer target after 'months of talks' MORE: Enzo Maresca responds to banned Chelsea star's trip to Conference League final
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Albert Sambi Lokonga exclusive: 'No regrets over Arsenal move but now I want stability'
Albert Sambi Lokonga is unsure exactly what the future holds for him beyond this summer, but he hopes whatever happens the end result is stability. The Arsenal midfielder has just finished his third loan spell in two and a half years after spending last season with Sevilla. Lokonga enjoyed the experience, fulfilling a childhood dream of playing in Spain, but now the season is over attention has turned towards his future. The Belgian's agent has already met with new Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta and the club have taken up the option to extend his contract by a year so that it runs until next summer. 'So the situation is really, really open,' Lokonga tells Standard Sport. 'To talk about my future… I can't say anything, because I really don't know where I will end up. 'I can't say it's tough, because I still have one year on my contract, but it is true that as a player you want to know where you will end up or where you will stay. 'For me, I really don't know what is going to happen - but what I know for sure is I need stability. I need a club where I can stay for two or three years, to play and develop again.' If Lokonga is to leave Arsenal, then his preference would be to stay in Spain. The 25-year-old has enjoyed his time at Sevilla, where both he and his wife have settled in the city. Lokonga learned Spanish quickly, so much so the local music is now on some of his playlists, and the lifestyle has lived up to what he expected. 'It's a country that I could see myself living in after football,' he says. 'Already, before I came here, I was thinking to move to Spain or Portugal. But now it just confirms my opinion that the life here is amazing.' Lokonga has embraced the local culture, admitting he has become a big fan of paella, and he has also got a taste for Spanish football. Growing up, he used to idolise the famous Barcelona midfield of Andres Iniesta, Sergio Busquets and Xavi. It is why Lokonga always fancied a stint in La Liga and, even in a difficult season for Sevilla, he has performed well. 'I think it is a really good league and a league that suits me,' he says. 'England is way more physical and here it is more technical. 'I am grateful for the experience that I had in London, at Arsenal, because I learnt a lot. It helped me to be the player that I am today and to impose my style here in Spain. 'Personally, I had really good games over here. I think I did a good job with the team, but obviously when the results of the team are not going that well it's a more difficult to shine. 'I really liked it, because I started as a No6. At times I was a No8 and I ended up nearly like a false nine! Unluckily I didn't score, but I think I was very dangerous when I played in this position. 'It was a great experience and it just helped me to become a more complete player. That's what I like, because I had the freedom to move and play in different positions.' After a third loan spell, it would be easy to think that Lokonga regrets his move to Arsenal - but the opposite is the case. The midfielder was just 21 when he joined the Gunners in 2021, leaving his childhood club Anderlecht as part of a deal worth around £15million. Lokonga was a regular during his first season at Arsenal, playing more than he or anyone back in Belgium expected, and he values those 12 months highly. 'At the end of the day, I did well and that was just part of the process,' he says. 'It is not everywhere you are going to go that you are going to succeed. 'When you arrive at a club like Arsenal, you don't have time to adapt. You need to be there directly and to perform. 'With Mikel [Arteta], I learned so much and, for me, he is one of the best coaches I have had in my career. It is how he is in the details, how he is predicting things that can happen on the pitch. He is a leader. 'Spending one year with him, it is like you maybe spend five years with someone else. You learn so much. So if I had to do it again, I would do it again.' Lokonga has similar feelings about his loan spell at Luton, where he spent the 2023-24 season. It was a move that caught many by surprise, but the midfielder was won over by Luton's manager back then Rob Edwards, after the pitch he gave at Lokonga's house. The pair are still contact today and regularly speak via voice notes on WhatsApp. 'I am just in love with him,' says Lokonga, smiling. 'I had one of the best times of my life in Luton, because of the manager, the group we had, the staff, the stadium and I think the fans we had were amazing. Luton is a club that will stay in my heart forever.' Lokonga is now hoping to make new memories and, crucially, put down roots somewhere. Not 26 until October, he still has plenty of years ahead of him and remains ambitious. 'I would like to go to a World Cup with my country, to compete and hopefully bring home a medal,' he says. 'I am 25 now and if I can have three or four trophies in my cabinet [during my career], that will not be too bad. 'I think if you look at my career, I moved for the first time to the UK to Arsenal, then I had a couple of clubs. I think it is time for me to settle and stay in a club, and to be there for a couple of years.'
