Enzo Maresca’s personnel and tactical changes masterminded Chelsea’s comeback to lift the Conference League in an ultimately dominant 4-1 win over Betis in Wroclaw.
The Blues had floundered for 45 minutes and were deservedly behind at the break after Isco, who ran the opening period, delivered a no-look assist to tee up Abde Ezzalzouli before he powered in the opener inside nine minutes.
The beleaguered Malo Gusto was the fall-guy at the break as the first of Blues boss Maresca’s changes. Reece James’ introduction in his place was much-needed, and the skipper led the charge of the head coach’s tactical tweaks from the first whistle of the second half.
Cole Palmer took up a freer role from the restart and, aided by the forced removal of Betis left-back Ricardo Rodriguez at the interval through injury, produced a player-of-the-match performance to inspire the Blues’ comeback.
An inviting dipping cross from the half-space was too good for Enzo Fernandez to pass up after 65 minutes, with his glancing header bringing Chelsea level. Barely five minutes later Palmer curled in another from the byline which Nicolas Jackson turned beyond Adrian with his upper arm.
With the teams’ roles now reversed, Chelsea never dropped their intensity or domination and highlighted the work of their head coach as two substitutes linked up to seal victory late on.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall intercepted a throw before driving forward and passing wide to Jadon Sancho, who cut in on his right foot and bent an unstoppable effort into the far corner.
By now the Blues knew the trophy was theirs, but they were not in the mood to let Betis off the hook.
Moises Caicedo added an injury-time fourth from the edge of the box to ensure Chelsea became the first club to win all three of Europe’s major continental trophies – and the first foreign side to deny a Spanish team in a European final since 2001.
