Chelsea head coach believes Real Betis have been given a helping hand ahead of next week's Conference League final after their final La Liga fixture was moved to Friday while the Blues face a crunch Premier League clash on Sunday evening
Enzo Maresca has said it is unacceptable that Chelsea have been given 48 hours less to prepare for next week's UEFA Conference League final than opponents Real Betis.
Chelsea face Nottingham Forest on Sunday afternoon in what could be a shootout for a place in next season's Champions League.
But Betis' final La Liga game of the season, at home to Valencia, has been moved forward by 48 hours to permit Manuel Pellegrini's side additional rest.
And that has irked Maresca, with the head coach saying: “I'm not happy, 100%. You cannot allow a team 48 hours more than the other team when you play in a European competition final. So you think you should be allowed to play on Friday or they play Sunday like us.
“I don't know if it's from La Liga, from the Premier League or from UEFA. If I ask you if it's normal to play a final when a team has 48 hours more than the other team, it is not normal, it's not something correct. Now, if it's the UEFA, La Liga or the Premier League, I don't know.”
The Chelsea chief insists his squad's full focus for now is on their trip to the City Ground but he has already told them that Filip Jorgensen will start in Wroclaw instead of first choice domestic goalkeeper Robert Sanchez.
“Filip is going to play in the final,” Maresca said. “Because he played all the competition. So it's unfair now that you are already in the final and he's not playing in the final.
“So for the Betis game it will be Filip plus 10 players. I don't know which ones, the other 10 there, but for sure Filip is going to play because he deserves to play that final.”
Chelsea's participation in the Conference League has been criticised throughout the campaign because they are operating on such a higher level than the rest of their competition. But Maresca says winning next Wednesday will be vital to instil a winning mentality in his young squad.
"Very important, first of all because you need to build a winning mentality and you cannot win the Europa League or the Champions League if you are in the Conference. You are in that competition and you have to be focused to win that competition.
"For sure this season helped the players to win games, and it's the only way to build a winning mentality. And now we are close to the last step and hopefully we can win the title."
biobdmopty
0
maresca, are your players not professionals
Riobdinrtz
0
Stop complaining and secure top 5 finish for us cos it is more important to us that the so called conference league
people wey sabi English [Crylaugh]
Riobdinrtz
0
He watched Betis' last match over the weekend live in Spain. Ever since then he's been sounding scared.
[Crylaugh]
OnyekaChikezie
0
no excuse is will be accepted dude 😎
Single-Bone
0
what do you mean,ATM trashed them 4:1 ,, there's nothing they can do against Chelsea f
They rested most of their players. I believe we'll win though.
poobdlmpsy
0
shut up and deliver
VIKINGSB
0
already trying to give excuses
And what's the excuse?.
peybcenrtu
1
it's not excuses, it's the truth English FA should take responsibility and support their league team they can also move Chelsea premier League game to Friday as a support to their league laliga is wise they want success for their league
it's the last game of the season, every team plays at the same time so you can't blame the FA.
randeikmo
1
He watched Betis' last match over the weekend live in Spain. Ever since then he's been sounding scared.
Apuuuuuu
Geebabs
0
already trying to give excuses
it's not excuses, it's the truth English FA should take responsibility and support their league team they can also move Chelsea premier League game to Friday as a support to their league laliga is wise they want success for their league
Richardoghale
0
what do you mean,ATM trashed them 4:1 ,, there's nothing they can do against Chelsea f
Tell am again
peybcenrtu
2
already trying to give excuses
obi1010
0
He watched Betis' last match over the weekend live in Spain. Ever since then he's been sounding scared.
what do you mean,ATM trashed them 4:1 ,, there's nothing they can do against Chelsea f
Pmehin26
1
La Liga prioritize their domestic teams participating in European competition because they take proud in seeing them succeed but same isn't done in England. the English FA is selfish.
Pepbdenrz
0
you must be sick upstairs
U are rather sick both up and down stairs
cosblmpu
0
is on fear
Single-Bone
0
He watched Betis' last match over the weekend live in Spain. Ever since then he's been sounding scared.
Echee27
0
Stop complaining and secure top 5 finish for us cos it is more important to us that the so called conference league
you must be sick upstairs
Echee27
0
Laliga is a different league from EPL, he doesn't need to be a cry baby, some play EPL games 3 days apart, he just have to be tactical, of he's scared of losing
look how childish you are
Hoabckmtz
1
Laliga is a different league from EPL, he doesn't need to be a cry baby, some play EPL games 3 days apart, he just have to be tactical, of he's scared of losing
.
Lounorstz
2
blue for ever we will win
Papacikoru
5
chelsea have two final to play and 2 final to win
toubilnrs
2
the FA is sick obvious. look at la Liga. they scheduled for betis to play on Friday.
Wupaclnotz
1
Laliga is a different league from EPL, he doesn't need to be a cry baby, some play EPL games 3 days apart, he just have to be tactical, of he's scared of losing
who told you he will lose, Chelsea will beat real betis 3:1
vecabcky
2
Enzo maresca,if Lavia will be in the lineup for the final you don’t have to worry about nothing,Chelsea will beat betis
wenbimnpt
3
Chelsea is not in the same league as them...la Liga always try to help their teams in Europe..but unfortunately for Chelsea premier League last games must kick off same time especially since 5 teams are still playing for Champions league spot
Miabklmns
1
Laliga is a different league from EPL, he doesn't need to be a cry baby, some play EPL games 3 days apart, he just have to be tactical, of he's scared of losing
Pepbdenrz
6
Stop complaining and secure top 5 finish for us cos it is more important to us that the so called conference league
M-CHIKA360
3
He's got a point but that's the FA fault. Anyway I wish my team Chelsea the very best and hopefully we become champions of the conference league.
Zunceklty
3
it is not fair at all
Medailnorz
2
dffscfeesg
zizabeinsu
0
May the best team win, GO BLUES GO CHELSEA