Chelsea Complete Their UEFA Collection as Betis Struggle with Injuries
The scene in Athens was set for a fierce showdown between Real Betis and Chelsea, but from the opening whistle, it was clear how much both teams had been forced to improvise. Injuries and suspensions shaped the narrative long before anyone kicked a ball.
Let’s look at Real Betis first. Their season had already turned rocky toward the end, slipping to sixth in La Liga after a promising start. Heading into the final, manager Manuel Pellegrini had to deal with a packed treatment room. Hector Bellerin (hamstring), Marc Roca (foot), Diego Llorente (hamstring), and Chimy Avila (hamstring) were all unavailable. With Giovani Lo Celso still not quite fit, he could only watch from the bench, ready if things got desperate. The situation got more complicated when first-choice keeper Fran Vieites picked up a calf injury, so veteran Adrian was handed the gloves again for this huge night.
Eager for silverware, Betis leaned on creative spark Isco and the loaned-in winger Antony. The Brazilian, finding new life away from Manchester, boasted nine goals and two assists going into the final—there was real hope he’d deliver again. Still, with so many key men missing, asking Betis to keep up with Chelsea over 90 minutes was always a tall order.
Key Names Missing for Both Sides—But Chelsea’s Depth Proves Decisive
The Londoners weren’t without their own headaches. Christopher Nkunku couldn’t recover from a late knock, and Mykhaylo Mudryk missed out through suspension. Add in long-term absentees like Wesley Fofana and Aaron Anselmino, and the Blues’ options in attack and defense were thinner than usual. Romeo Lavia wasn’t registered for Conference League play. Yet, the return of Nicolas Jackson was a timely boost up front, his domestic ban not affecting his eligibility here.
There was plenty of rotation. Filip Jorgensen took the keeper’s jersey, while Malo Gusto—so determined to stake his claim—slotted into right-back. Rising star Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall got the nod in midfield, bringing fresh legs and real intent. Up top, Jackson led the line, hungry to make up for lost time.
Even so, Betis fans had reason to dream after Abde Ezzalzouli capitalized early and put their team up. But Chelsea’s quality soon told. Enzo Fernández pulled the strings, Jackson himself found the net, and Jadon Sancho, another with something to prove this season, joined the party. Moisés Caicedo put the icing on the cake late on, sealing a 4-1 rout—a scoreline that looked harsh on a Betis side playing their hearts out but battered by injuries.
- Chelsea’s victory means they’ve now won every major UEFA club competition—a feat that puts them in rare company.
- Betis can be proud of their Conference League run but will wonder what might have been if their squad had been anywhere close to full strength.
- The final’s script was written in the medical rooms and dugouts before kick-off, but on the pitch, Chelsea’s bench depth and clinical finishing stole the show.
Few expected a rout after Ezzalzouli’s opener, but Chelsea’s response was ruthless. Their first Conference League crown might feel a bit strange for fans used to bigger stages, but it adds another chapter to a trophy-laden decades for the club.
