Real Betis vs Chelsea - LIVE!
Chelsea scored four goals in the final 25 minutes as they Real Betis 4-1 to win the Conference League, completing their set of European trophies. It is a competition the Blues have been expected to win all season but that was in doubt at the halfway stage of the final in Wroclaw, with Betis deservedly in front through Abde Ezzalzouli’s early strike.
The Spanish club, bidding to win their first ever European trophy, held firm for 20 minutes in the second period but when one Chelsea goal came, a second swiftly followed. Enzo Fernandez headed home the equaliser from a brilliant Cole Palmer cross and the Englishman was involved soon after, twisting and turning and putting in another superb cross, this one bundled in off the shoulder of Nicolas Jackson.
That lead never looked like being surrendered and Jadon Sancho put the match to bed with just under ten minutes remaining, cutting inside onto his right foot and curling a stunning finish into the top corner. There was still time for Moises Caicedo to add a fourth, firing in as the clock ticked into stoppage-time, as Chelsea claimed Conference League glory to go in the trophy cabinet with the club’s previous successes in the Champions League and Europa League.
Real Betis vs Chelsea latest news
- GOAL! Caicedo adds fourth in stoppage-time
- GOAL! Sancho gives Chelsea real control
- GOAL! Jackson completes turnaround
- GOAL! Fernandez equalises for Chelsea
- GOAL! Ezzalzouli gives Real Betis lead at half-time
Post-match reaction from the Chelsea camp
22:20 , Matt VerriCole Palmer can’t keep the smile off his face...
"We needed a reaction in the second half, and we got it" 💪
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 28, 2025
Captain Reece James and the man with 2 assists, Cole Palmer, speak to @Becky_Ives_, summing up their thoughts after winning the Conference League.
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/yd8ROQbwlO
Chelsea player ratings
22:08 , Matt VerriEnzo Fernandez 8
Spent the first-half in the referee’s ear but shed the captain’s armband at the break and came up with the equaliser after good movement.
Pedro Neto 5
Back on the right wing and tried to make things happen early on but faded and was hooked on the hour.
Cole Palmer 9
In danger of being outshone by Isco in battle of the playmakers before conjuring wonderful assist for Fernandez equaliser. Then did it again minutes later for Jackson. Genius.
Click here for our full ratings!
Some finish!
21:59 , Matt VerriHere’s when the final was really put to bed, as Jadon Sancho scored Chelsea’s third.
Who knows where he will end up next season, but this was a brilliant moment for him.
TAKE A BOW JADON SANCHO 🤩
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 28, 2025
What a finish from the on-loan winger, as he cuts inside and fires expertly into the far corner to give Chelsea a 2-goal lead - is that the game for the Blues...? 🏆
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/iNuZJpgHRM
FT: Real Betis 1-4 Chelsea
21:55 , Matt VerriChelsea do complete their set of European trophies!
It was in real doubt at half-tie, but Chelsea rallied and in the end cruised to victory in the final.
Top-four and a trophy... it’s been a really successful season for the club.
Real Betis 1-4 Chelsea
21:5290+3 mins: Two more minutes of added-time to go.
The celebrations have already started on the Chelsea bench.
GOAL! Real Betis 1-4 Chelsea | Moises Caicedo 90+1'
21:51 , Matt VerriThat really will do it!
Chelsea break down the left, it’s pulled back to Caicedo and he lashes a low strike into the corner from 20 yards out.
Start the party!
Real Betis 1-3 Chelsea
21:48 , Matt Verri89 mins: Antony has absolutely lost his head, think it’s Fernandez on his best wind-up mission.
Sancho and James leading the efforts to keep Antony calm.
Betis man is lucky to stay on the pitch, he threw a head at Fernandez.
Real Betis 1-3 Chelsea
21:47 , Matt Verri87 mins: Palmer off, Guiu on.
Two moments of magic from Palmer turned this match around, brilliant assists for the goals from Fernandez and Jackson.
Real Betis 1-3 Chelsea
21:45 , Matt Verri86 mins: Betis appealing for a penalty, but it’s just good strength from James.
Betis stay on the attack, Antony tries to do with Sancho did... but sends a tame effort straight at Jorgensen.
GOAL! Real Betis 1-3 Chelsea | Jadon Sancho 83'
21:42 , Matt VerriTHAT’LL DO IT!
Dewsbury-Hall plays it out to Sancho on the left.
He cuts onto his right foot and bends a stunning finish into the top corner!
Real Betis 1-2 Chelsea
21:39 , Matt Verri80 mins: Jackson down, so Palmer aggressively boots the ball out of play.
Too aggressive in fact, the referee has booked him for it! Seems a bit unfair.
Jackson gets some treatment, he’s in no rush to then limp to the touchline.
His night is done - Dewsbury-Hall on for Chelsea.
Real Betis 1-2 Chelsea
21:37 , Matt Verri78 mins: Should be game over!
Betis commit numbers forward, Sancho plays Jackson in and he has the whole Betis half to himself.
Sancho waiting for it to be squared, but Jackson stumbles and takes the biggest touch you’ve ever seen.
So big that Adrian slip, get up and come out to claim.
Real Betis 1-2 Chelsea
21:36 , Matt Verri77 mins: Maresca applauding every challenge from his side now.
Palmer then goes on a one-man pressing mission, all the way up to Adrian as he forces him to go long.
Antony swings in a cross with the outside of his left foot, with the right very much just for standing on. Chalobah clears.
Real Betis 1-2 Chelsea
21:34 , Matt Verri74 mins: Do Betis have any response to that five-minute burst?
I have a suspicion what the answer is, but we will see. Chelsea have just gone to another level in the last ten minutes or so and Betis haven’t lived with it at all.
Real Betis 1-2 Chelsea
21:31 , Matt Verri72 mins: I say heads home...
Missed the header and the ball bounced in off his shoulder. Jackson doesn’t care one bit.
GOAL! Real Betis 1-2 Chelsea | Nicolas Jackson 70'
21:30 , Matt VerriCHELSEA IN FRONT!
Magic again from Palmer, twisting and turning into space, whipping in a great cross and Jackson is there to head home!
Real Betis 1-1 Chelsea
21:28 , Matt Verri68 mins: You do fear for Betis now.
It’s all Chelsea, they’ve grown in confidence and are pinning Betis right back.
Palmer wriggles into space 25 yards out, demands a free-kick... doesn’t get one.
Chelsea straight back on the attack though, Palmer fires straight at Adrian from distance.
Malik Ouzia at Stadion Wroclaw
21:26 , Matt VerriTake nothing away from the goal, and in particular a wonderful assist from Cole Palmer.
But Adrian has to be saving that, doesn’t he?
GOAL! Real Betis 1-1 Chelsea | Enzo Fernandez 65'
21:24 , Matt VerriThey’ve found an equaliser now!
It’s a wonderful curling cross from Palmer, Fernandez makes the run from midfield and he flicks a header past Adrian.
Level in the final.
Malik Ouzia at the Stadion Wroclaw
21:23 , Matt VerriA lot has been made of the difference in prep time leading into this game, with Betis having had almost 48 hours longer since their final league game of the season.
Chelsea will have to find some energy from somewhere. They’ve not found anything at all so far tonight.
Real Betis 1-0 Chelsea
21:23 , Matt Verri63 mins: Betis struggling to get out as much now, Bakambu very isolated up front.
Madueke goes on a run down the right, flops to the floor and the referee unsurprisingly tells him to get up.
Real Betis 1-0 Chelsea
21:21 , Matt Verri61 mins: Maresca has seen enough, two more changes.
Sancho and Colwill are on, replacing Neto and Badiashile.
Real Betis 1-0 Chelsea
21:19 , Matt Verri59 mins: Betis are dropping deeper and deeper... can they do this for another half an hour?
They can if the referee is going to fill in as a 12th man. Lovely interception to cut out Caicedo’s reverse pass.
Real Betis 1-0 Chelsea
21:16 , Matt Verri57 mins: Chelsea corner comes through to James at the back post, he runs onto it and catches the strike sweetly... deflected behind.
He’ll take the next corner. Jackson free this time, he has three to pick out waiting for a tap-in... passes it straight to Adrian.
Real Betis 1-0 Chelsea
21:15 , Matt Verri56 mins: Not sure Adrian got any of the ball, he wiped out Bartra and Jackson.
Referee wasn’t interested and VAR have cleared it too, no penalty.
Jackson back up, he’ll be fine to continue.
Real Betis 1-0 Chelsea
21:14 , Matt Verri55 mins: Neto swings in a cross and there are huge Chelsea appeals for a penalty, both on the pitch and on the touchline.
Jackson went up for it and appeared to get absolutely clattered by Adrian, who came for the ball and took everything in his path.
Real Betis 1-0 Chelsea
21:12 , Matt Verri52 mins: Ezzalzouli came out for the second-half with a bit of a limp and he’s gone down - his final is over.
Big blow for Betis, he’s been such a threat. Rodriguez on for the Spanish side.
Real Betis 1-0 Chelsea
21:10 , Matt Verri50 mins: Chalobah nearly caught out at the back, as Ezzalzouli charges up to press him.
So much more energy players from the Betis players than we’ve seen from the blue shirts.
Malik Ouzia at Stadion Wroclaw
21:07 , Matt VerriIt’s not easy to come on and affect the course of a game from right-back but you suspect Reece James is going to have a good go.
Almost an excellent cross there from a very similar position to that which he made Marc Cucurella’s crucial winner against Man United from earlier this month.
Real Betis 1-0 Chelsea
21:0647 mins: Betis players are already throwing themselves into challenges in their half, defending has a desperate feel to it.
Dread to think what it’s going to look like if they’re still 1-0 up in 40 minutes or so.
Back underway!
21:04 , Matt VerriNo surprise there.
Maresca has turned to his bench at half-time, and Gusto has been replaced by James.
As predictable a change as you’ll ever see.
How Betis took the lead...
20:55 , Matt VerriCan’t say it was undeserved, or that it wasn’t coming.
That goal came inside nine minutes but Chelsea had already been caught out several times down their right.
BETIS TAKE THE LEAD 💥
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 28, 2025
Fantastic ball from Isco to Ezzalzouli, as he takes a touch and fires past Jorgensen to give Betis a one-goal lead over Chelsea!
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/htNrswKVSn
Malik Ouzia at Stadion Wroclaw
20:50 , Matt VerriThe cheer for the half-time whistle from the Betis end was as if the final whistle had blown.
Chelsea have not made a chance.
HT: Real Betis 1-0 Chelsea
20:48 , Matt VerriBetis deal with that and Palmer then gets his body in the way to stop the counter.
That’s half-time, Betis are 45 minutes away from a first European trophy.
Chelsea can be grateful they’ve only conceded once.
Real Betis 1-0 Chelsea
20:47 , Matt Verri45 mins: Chelsea camped in the Betis half in the final minutes of this half.
Fernandez wins them a corner, this will be the last action before the break. One minute added on.
Real Betis 1-0 Chelsea
20:44 , Matt Verri42 mins: Good ball over the top from Cucurella, very nearly perfectly picks out Fernandez.
Adrian flies off his line to claim and gets caught by Fernandez in the process.
Chelsea captain offers a hand in apology, gets slapped away. Goalkeeper going to milk this for all it’s worth.
Real Betis 1-0 Chelsea
20:43 , Matt Verri41 mins: Caicedo with the foul on Isco and Betis have a free-kick in a decent position.
Isco and Antony standing over it on the left wing.
Antony clips it to the back post, Jorgensen parries it straight down and Natan’s shot is blocked.
Malik Ouzia at Stadion Wroclaw
20:42 , Matt VerriChants of Reece James’s name from the Chelsea end, which has been very quiet.
Real Betis 1-0 Chelsea
20:40 , Matt Verri38 mins: Caicedo dinks a ball over the top, Palmer loops a header towards Jackson and it’s desperate defending from Betis. First time they looked a bit rattled at the back.
Better from Chelsea on the ball, starting to build a bit of pressure.
Real Betis 1-0 Chelsea
20:37 , Matt Verri36 mins: We’ve already reached the stage where Adrian is going to time waste, apparently.
Pretends he’s considering a short goal-kick, then urges everyone up the pitch and takes his sweet time before launching it long.
Just the 54 minutes still to play...
Real Betis 1-0 Chelsea
20:35 , Matt Verri33 mins: Chelsea very grateful to hear the whistle, because Ezzalzouli was about to be away for the 400th time on the left.
Dare say Maresca is going to change something at half-time, this isn’t working at all.
Malik Ouzia at Stadion Wroclaw
20:33 , Matt VerriThe big screen shows Enzo Maresca looking pretty dejected, head in hands.
His team have not turned up in this first half-hour.
Real Betis 1-0 Chelsea
20:32 , Matt Verri30 mins: Gusto once again finds himself in trouble against Ezzalzouli, does well in the end to slide in and turn the cross behind for a corner.
Isco takes it short, skips into space and pulls it back brilliantly, but Chelsea clear and now they can break.
Madueke trips and forces Neto to slow down with the pass, and Palmer’s cross is then easily cleared.
Real Betis 1-0 Chelsea
20:29 , Matt Verri28 mins: Pass through the Betis midfield very nearly bobbles into Fernandez’s path, as he makes a run in behind, but the goalkeeper is off his line to clear.
Likes of Palmer and Neto have basically seen nothing of the ball in the first 28 minutes of this final.
Real Betis 1-0 Chelsea
20:27 , Matt Verri25 mins: Here we go again.
Ezzalzouli in space, low cross into the box and Chelsea need a couple of attempts to clear it.
Cucurella lumps the ball up the pitch, Jackson is all by himself but very nearly still makes something of it. Eventually crowded out.
Malik Ouzia at Stadion Wroclaw
20:25 , Matt VerriA penny for Reece James’s thoughts here.
The club captain left out of the lineup and now watching his understudy have an absolute stinker.
Real Betis 1-0 Chelsea
20:2423 mins: Ezzalzouli is having a lovely old evening on that left wing.
Knocks the ball inside, gets a kick from Gusto in the process. Cardoso then spins out of trouble and Palmer can only drag him back.
This is really poor from Chelsea.
Real Betis 1-0 Chelsea
20:23 , Matt Verri21 mins: Gusto... is having one.
50/50 in his own box with Ezzalzouli, loses it and the Betis man is in again.
Squares it for Cardoso, he looks certain to score but the shot is deflected wide. Big, big chance.
Real Betis 1-0 Chelsea
20:20 , Matt Verri19 mins: Chelsea’s turn to knock it around now, as Betis get everyone back behind the ball.
Spanish side very nearly break as they win it back, but Badiashile is quick enough to get across and stop Antony countering down the right.
Real Betis 1-0 Chelsea
20:18 , Matt Verri17 mins: Spell of possession for Betis, happy to slow things down. Isco running the show in midfield.
He tries to clip a ball in midfield, but Cucurella intercepts it. Bartra then very aggressive on Jackson on the halfway line, gives away the free-kick. Looked a bit harsh.
Real Betis 1-0 Chelsea
20:15 , Matt Verri14 mins: Chelsea are being run ragged, it’s all Betis.
Bartra with a great effort, Jorgensen at full stretch to tip it over the bar.
From that corner, Sabaly tries his luck on the volley from 30 yards out. It flies about 35 yards over the bar.
Real Betis 1-0 Chelsea
20:14 , Matt Verri13 mins: Don’t want to keep picking on him... but Gusto is getting caught out every attack.
Ezzalzouli just standing in space waiting for the ball and he keeps being found. Chelsea have to sort that out.
Betis man has to turn back this time and the chance goes.
Malik Ouzia at Stadion Wroclaw
20:13 , Matt VerriThat goal cleared the Betis bench as if it were a winner in the last minute of extra-time.
Half the substitutes were on the pitch.
Malik Ouzia at Stadion Wroclaw
20:13 , Matt VerriThat has been coming. Chelsea haven’t started with anything like Betis’s intensity and there’d already been a couple of really sloppy passes out from the back. That from Gusto was another.
But what about the bit of quality from Isco with the pass?
GOAL! Real Betis 1-0 Chelsea | Abde Ezzalzouli 9'
20:11 , Matt VerriREAL BETIS TAKE THE LEAD!
That goal had been coming. Chelsea kept leaving Ezzalzouli free and he punishes them, drilling into the bottom corner after Isco’s lovely reverse pass.
Real Betis 0-0 Chelsea
20:08 , Matt Verri7 mins: Very open start to the match and all of Betis’ joy is coming down their left. Gusto getting caught out as he inverts.
Chelsea go down the other end and Jackson makes his second foul of the night, too keen to close down again.
Malik Ouzia at Stadion Wroclaw
20:07 , Matt VerriPlenty of empty seats in the official Chelsea end, mind.
Uefa say they only sold around 11,000 of their 12,500 allocation.
Real Betis 0-0 Chelsea
20:06 , Matt Verri5 mins: Ezzalzouli does just that, getting in down the left after Gusto jumps up and doesn’t make the interception.
Gets to the byline, cross stood up to the back post and Antony can’t get his header on target.
Real Betis 0-0 Chelsea
20:04 , Matt Verri3 mins: Early signs suggest Betis are going to carry a real threat on the counter.
Happy to let Chelsea have the ball, but numbers are flying forward quickly when they win it back.
Does look to be space for them out wide.
Real Betis 0-0 Chelsea
20:02 , Matt Verri1 min: Chalobah has gone down after 15 seconds.
He slid in to clear the ball, got a knock to the head from Ezzalzouli in the process. Just the start to the match he was hoping for.
Chalobah will be fine to continue.
Malik Ouzia at Stadion Wroclaw
20:02 , Matt VerriIt’s actually closer to an even split than I was expecting in terms of numbers in the crowd.
Betis’ fans were in earlier and are more distinctive in their green but there’s a good mix of blue in among the “neutral” sections as well now.
KICK-OFF!
20:01 , Matt VerriWe’re underway in the Conference League final!
Malik Ouzia at Stadium Wroclaw
19:58 , Matt VerriFive players on the massive Chelsea banner currently being waved on the pitch, only one of whom is actually playing.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has done very well to make the grade.
They’ve listened.
Teams are out onto the pitch in Wroclaw. You will not be stunned to hear Cole Palmer is looking fairly relaxed at the back of the Chelsea line.
“So so inspiring, so so impressive” is the verdict from the presenters on the ceremony ahead of kick-off.
A lot of drums and a lot of noise is another way of putting it. 3/10.
We’ve now got the Conference League trophy being paraded... get on with it.
Not long now!
19:52 , Matt VerriPlayers will be in the tunnel in the next few minutes.
There’s been an expectation all season that Chelsea will win this competition, but this is certainly their toughest test.
So many Betis fans in the stadium, going to be roaring their side on.
Chelsea eyeing return of winning feeling
19:47 , Matt VerriReece James has vowed to bring the trophy-winning feeling back to Chelsea, after Enzo Maresca admitted he had to convince his players that the Conference League is the “best competition in the world” at the start of their campaign.
The Blues are chasing their first piece of silverware in more than three years, having not lifted a trophy since winning the Club World Cup in early 2022.
James missed that tournament through injury but was part of the side that lifted the Champions League under Thomas Tuchel the previous season.
The vast majority of his team-mates, however, are yet to win a major trophy in blue.
“We hope [it starts a winning run],” said James, who is seeking to lift a trophy as Chelsea captain for the first time.
“It’s been a few years since we got our hands on silverware so if you zoom out and take a further look, I’d like to think this would bring that winning trophy feel back to the club and help the players who haven’t won so much in their career so far.”
Malik Ouzia at Stadion Wroclaw
19:41 , Matt VerriThe cheer that greets Antony’s name is second only to Isco’s in volume.
That Betis warm-up was one of the shortest I’ve ever seen. They were off before Chelsea as well and can’t have been out there much more than 15 minutes.
Big night for Chalobah
19:36 , Matt VerriTrevoh Chalobah can count himself unlucky to have lost his place in Chelsea’s Premier League side over the last couple of weeks.
The centre-back had started seven league games in a row, with his performances enough to earn a surprise first England call-up, but Maresca opted for Tosin Adarabioyo’s physicality against Rasmus Hojlund and Chris Wood in the Blues’s final two games.
Chalobah comes back into the XI tonight to try to shackle Cedric Bakambu, the second-top scorer in the competition this season on seven goals.
The 25-year-old has more motivation than most to finish the season with a winners’s medal, having missed out on Crystal Palace’s FA Cup success by virtue of his January loan recall.
Antony factor
19:30 , Matt VerriIf Chelsea’s loan move for one Manchester United winger in Jadon Sancho has not entirely worked out then Betis’s for another could hardly have been more of a success.
Antony has been a revelation since joining the Spanish side in January, scoring nine goals and registering five assists across all competitions.
The winger - who has been called up to Carlo Ancelotti’s first Brazil squad - has been particularly potent in the Conference League and scored key goals in both legs of the semi-final victory over Fiorentina.
It will be down to Marc Cucurella, quietly one of Chelsea’s players of the season, to keep him quiet this evening.
Malik Ouzia at Stadion Wroclaw
19:24 , Matt VerriChelsea’s players have been out warming up for a good five or ten minutes, with no sign of the Betis team yet.
Malik Ouzia at Stadion Wroclaw
19:19 , Matt VerriTime for Nicolas Jackson to repay that debt...
"Nicolas Jackson hasn't played since that red card at Newcastle - Enzo Maresca says he owes the team a debt."
— Standard Sport (@standardsport) May 28, 2025
🗣 @MalikOuzia_ gives his pre-match thoughts on the Chelsea team news.
LIVE: https://t.co/ZoqsPN0hsk #UECLfinal | #CFC pic.twitter.com/lJtRvt94fu
Maresca taking on familiar face
19:13 , Matt VerriFor those hoping that Chelsea might, at last, be about to face some serious Conference League competition, it was reassuring to hear that Real Betis have had this date inked in the diary with similar certainty.
“I sent Enzo [Maresca] a message when we started in the group stage,” Betis manager Manuel Pellegrini said here in Wroclaw on Tuesday. “It was a very short message that said: ‘I’ll see you in the final’.”
In their own minds at least, then, Maresca and the man he calls his “football father” have been on collision course for the best part of a year, subconsciously perhaps even since they spoke last summer, when the then Leicester coach was seeking advice before taking the Chelsea job.
The pair met when Maresca played under Pellegrini at Malaga and though, surprisingly, this is also the former Manchester City boss’s first European final, it is very much a meeting of master and apprentice. Indeed, Maresca cut his coaching teeth on Pellegrini’s staff at West Ham.
“It’s special,” Maresca said last week of facing the 71-year-old for the first time. “He’s a reference for me because of his career, because of his history and especially because in terms of a human being, he’s a top person.”
Malik Ouzia at Stadion Wroclaw
19:06 , Matt VerriReece James and Levi Colwill, having been sent out to do media duties last night, are both only on the Chelsea bench.
Bet they were both thrilled at being asked to do that.
Jackson starts!
19:01As expected, Nicolas Jackson leads the line as he returns for Chelsea.
Some big calls in defence, as Enzo Maresca leaves Reece James and Levi Colwill on the bench.
It means Malo Gusto and Benoit Badiashile get the nod, with Trevoh Chalobah also starting in the back line.
Real Betis team news
18:52 , Matt VerriStarting XI: Adrian, Gabaly, Natan, Bartra, Rodriguez, Cardoso, Fornals, Antony, Isco, Ezzalzouli, Bakambu.
Subs: Vieites, Gonzalez, Perraud, Altimira, Lo Celso, Ruibal, Mendy, Rodriguez, Ortiz, Flores, Garcia
Chelsea team news
18:47 , Matt VerriStarting XI: Jorgensen, Gusto, Chalobah, Badiashile, Cucurella, Caicedo, Fernandez, Madueke, Palmer, Neto, Jackson
Subs: Sanchez, Bergstrom, Tosin, Colwill, Acheampong, James, Amougou, Dewsbury-Hall, George, Sancho, Nkunku, Guiu
Stage is set!
18:36 , Matt VerriHere’s a look inside the stadium from a bit earlier, and before the dark clouds started to gather.
Around ten minutes until we get all the team news!
In the building. 🏟️#CFC | #UECLFinal pic.twitter.com/AdQPYavFzU
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) May 28, 2025
Malik Ouzia at Stadion Wroclaw
18:27 , Matt VerriBetis’s players have just emerged to a huge ovation from what is already a fairly busy Betis end, with former West Ham goalkeeper Adrian whipping them up.
Chelsea supporters are going to be outnumbered by about two to one in here by the looks of things.
Maresca surprised by Mudryk arrival
18:18 , Matt VerriEnzo Maresca was left blindsided by Mykhailo Mudryk’s appearance in Wroclaw, with the Chelsea boss admitting he had no idea the winger was making the trip.
Mudryk has been provisionally suspended since December after testing positive for a banned substance, reported to be meldonium.
The Ukrainian has always denied deliberately taking a banned substance and was awaiting the results of a ‘B’ sample.
There has been no further update since the adverse finding was initially made public but if found guilty, Mudryk could face a lengthy ban.
The 24-year-old last played for Chelsea in late November and has largely kept out of the public eye since, but was photographed with supporters in a steakhouse in Wroclaw on Tuesday afternoon while wearing club attire.
It is understood that Mudryk did not travel to the Polish city with the Chelsea squad, who arrived later on Tuesday, but it is not known whether he is staying at the team hotel or whether the club paid for his travel.
Asked about Mudryk’s appearance in his pre-match press conference, Maresca was visibly confused and initially lost for words.
“To be honest, I just, I don’t know…” the Italian said. “He is here or he is coming? He’s here? I’m happy for Misha [Mudryk] to be here.”
James: Best I've felt in years
18:06 , Matt VerriReece James says shaking his injury problems has helped him grow as a leader, as he declared himself at his fittest in years ahead of tonight’s Conference League final.
James has the chance to lift his first silverware as Chelsea captain when the Blues take on Real Betis in Wroclaw, in what would be a fine end to a campaign after two-and-a-half years of miserable injury disruption.
Whether the full-back starts the game remains to be seen. Enzo Maresca has been careful in managing James’s workload since he returned to fitness in the New Year and a tight three-day turnaround since Sunday’s win over Nottingham Forest could see the 25-year-old drop to the bench.
Still, it has been a positive second half of the campaign for James, whose 19 Premier League appearances are the most he has made in a single season since 2021/22 and have seen him regain his place in the England squad.
“It’s definitely the best I’ve felt,” James said. “I’ve played the most this season in two or three years.
“I’m so happy to be back on the pitch helping the team as much as I can regularly and if I’m called upon I’ll be ready [tonight].”
28 arrests made after fan clashes
17:55 , Matt VerriViolent clashes between Real Betis and Chelsea supporters have marred the build-up to the Conference League final in Wroclaw.
Local police were forced to intervene to restore order, unleashing a water cannon on supporters gathered in the Polish city’s main square on Wednesday afternoon.
The trouble broke out around five hours before kick-off at the Stadion Wroclaw.
Officers dressed in riot gear formed a barrier between the groups, with sirens heard across the town centre, and 28 arrests were made.
Bottles and chairs were used as missiles, while one photo showed a bloodied Chelsea fan being attacked by a Betis supporter wielding a belt.
The scenes were in stark contrast with Tuesday night, when fans of the two clubs mingled across the city.
Malik Ouzia at Stadion Wroclaw
17:44 , Matt VerriFair to say Real Betis fans have near enough taken over Wroclaw!
Should be some atmosphere tonight...
"The big question for Chelsea is how strong is Enzo Maresca going to go... will he think his first XI can go to the well one more time?"
— Standard Sport (@standardsport) May 28, 2025
🗣 @MalikOuzia_ looks ahead to a huge night in Wroclaw!
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Standard Sport prediction
17:37 , Matt VerriThe form book points to one outcome in Poland. Maresca’s side finished the Premier League season strongly, winning four of their last five games - including beating Liverpool, Man Utd and Nottingham Forest.
Meanwhile, Betis have failed to win any of their last four and suffered a heavy loss away at Atletico Madrid 10 days after overcoming Fiorentina to book their place in the final.
In keeping with the two European cup finals that have taken place in the past week and Chelsea’s recent mean streak defensively, it would not be a surprise if one goal settles this clash in favour of the Blues.
Chelsea to win, 1-0.
Chelsea team news
17:28 , Matt VerriChelsea have been boosted by the return to fitness of Nicolas Jackson as they look to crown their season with silverware in tonight’s Conference League final against Real Betis.
Jackson has missed the last two Premier League games through suspension after being sent off in the 2-0 defeat at Newcastle earlier this month.
Maresca has already confirmed that Filip Jorgensen will replace Robert Sanchez in goal for Chelsea, having played all but one of the games in this competition so far.
Trevoh Chalobah could come back into the defence having been unlucky to lose his place in the league over the last fortnight.
Maresca has also tended to be cautious with Reece James’s workload and it remains to be seen whether the club captain will start consecutive games in the space of three days. If not, Malo Gusto could come in at right-back.
Predicted Chelsea XI: Jorgensen; James, Chalobah, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Neto, Palmer, Madueke; Jackson
Real Betis team news
17:19 , Matt VerriReal Betis have a host of doubts including ex-Tottenham midfielder Giovani Lo Celso, who did train on Tuesday.
Former Arsenal defender Hector Bellerin will not feature due to injury whilst Marc Roca, Diego Llorente, and Chimy Avila have also been ruled out.
The LaLiga side’s hopes of victory could rest on the shoulders of Isco and on-loan Manchester United winger Antony, who has enjoyed a fruitful loan spell since making the switch in the January transfer window.
How to watch Real Betis vs Chelsea
17:11 , Matt VerriTV channel: In the UK, the Conference League final is being shown live on TNT Sports. Coverage gets underway at 6.30pm BST ahead of kick-off at 8pm.
Live stream: TNT Sports subscribers can also watch the game live online via the Discovery+ app and website.
There will also be a free live stream available through the Discovery+ app, though those without a subscription will need to register their details to access the broadcast.
Prime Video customers, who have access to a basic Discovery+ account will also be able to watch the final through the Prime Video app.
Live blog: Follow all the action right here, featuring expert analysis from Malik Ouzia in Wroclaw!
Good afternoon!
17:04 , Matt VerriHello and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Real Betis vs Chelsea!
It’s the second of the European finals, as the Conference League takes centre stage in Poland.
The Blues have been favourites to win this competition all season long - can they now get the job done?
We’ll have all the latest updates, build-up and team news ahead of kick-off, which comes at 8pm BST from Stadion Wroclaw.
