Chelsea FC have secured their place in the 2024/25 UEFA Conference League final, where they will face Real Betis, following a commanding 7-1 aggregate triumph over Swedish side Djurgården in the semi-finals.
The Blues, under the guidance of head coach Enzo Maresca, showcased their attacking prowess and squad depth to book a spot in the decider, scheduled for May 28, 2025, at Stadion Wrocław in Poland.
Chelsea traveled to Stockholm’s 3Arena and delivered a clinical performance, securing a 4-1 victory in the first leg. Despite concerns from Maresca about the artificial pitch, the Blues adapted seamlessly, dominating possession and creating numerous scoring opportunities.
Jadon Sancho opened the scoring in the 13th minute, capitalizing on a precise cross from Enzo Fernández. Noni Madueke doubled the lead just before halftime, with Fernández again providing the assist.
In the second half, substitute Nicolas Jackson exploited a defensive error to make it 3-0 before adding a fourth with a powerful strike from the edge of the box. Djurgården’s 18-year-old Isak Alemayehu scored a consolation header, but Chelsea’s dominance was undeniable. The match also saw 16-year-old Reggie Walsh make his senior debut, nearly scoring within seconds of coming on.
Returning to Stamford Bridge, Chelsea completed the job with a 1-0 victory, resulting in a 5-1 aggregate scoreline. The second leg was a more controlled affair, with Maresca rotating his squad ahead of a crucial Premier League clash.
Despite Djurgården’s spirited efforts, Chelsea’s defense held firm, and a solitary goal was enough to seal their progression. Posts on X reflected the sentiment that Chelsea’s place in the final was all but assured after the first leg, with fans praising the team’s professionalism in seeing out the tie.
Chelsea’s journey to the Conference League final has been marked by their attacking flair, leading the competition with 37 goals across the campaign. Their semi-final performance underscored their status as favorites, with Fernández’s playmaking (six goal involvements in four European games) and Jackson’s clinical finishing proving decisive. Despite a 2-1 loss in the quarter-final second leg against Legia Warsaw, Chelsea’s 4-2 aggregate win in that round highlighted their resilience.
Real Betis, Chelsea’s final opponents, advanced after a tightly contested semi-final against Fiorentina, which ended 3-3 on aggregate. Betis progressed on away goals, having secured a 2-1 win in the first leg in Seville, thanks to early strikes from Abde Ezzalzouli and Antony (on loan from Manchester United).
Fiorentina’s Luca Ranieri kept the tie alive with a goal in the first leg, and despite a 2-1 victory in the second leg in Florence, Fiorentina fell short. Betis’ attacking threats, including Cédric Bakambu and Antony, will pose a challenge for Chelsea’s defense.
Chelsea, with two Champions League and two Europa League titles, bring significant European experience to the final. However, Real Betis are making their first-ever European semi-final appearance, a milestone celebrated by coach Manuel Pellegrini.
Betis’ confidence stems from their ability to contain strong opponents like Jagiellonia and Fiorentina, and their attacking output (scoring first in 11 of their last 12 Conference League games) suggests they won’t be overawed.
The 2025 UEFA Conference League final promises to be a compelling clash between Chelsea’s star-studded squad and Real Betis’ determined underdogs.
Chelsea will aim to cap their debut Conference League campaign with a trophy, while Betis seek to make history in their maiden European final. With both teams showcasing attacking quality and tactical discipline, the stage is set for an enthralling showdown in Wrocław.
