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Manuel Pellegrini Press Conference: Previewing Real Betis vs. Chelsea in UEFA Conference League Final 2025

Pellegrini Discusses Tactics and Team Readiness for the 2025 UEFA Conference League Showdown

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Real Betis will chase their first UEFA Trophy in history as they face Chelsea in the UECL 2025 Final in Poland on Wednesday. After clinching the Europa League spot through the sixth finish in La Liga 2024/25 season, Manuel Pellegrini and his squad will aim to end the campaign with silverware.

Pellegrini who took over Real Betis in 2020 has had significant success with the Spanish side. Guiding Betis to their first Copa del Rey (2022) win in 17 years, the Chilean manager will look to add a European prize to Real Betis’ cabinet.

Did you know Real Betis was founded by emancipated Nigerian slaves who settled in Spain about 150 years ago 💚🤍 pic.twitter.com/1RVVL7sYDf
— Fyi,Chimgozirim 🪐 (@UJNeverse) May 28, 2025

Pellegrini on Facing Enzo Maresca and Chelsea in the Final

Pellegrini’s side has struggled since qualifying for the Conference League finals. Failing to win a game in their past five matchups, Real Betis will come in nervy on confident to face Chelsea.

Talking about recognising Enzo Maresca’s coaching abilities back from his playing days, Pellegrini had high praise for the Chelsea manager. Addressing the long career Maresca had and the qualities to become a good coach, Pellegrini in his UECL Final pre-match interview said:

“Enzo is a coach who’s going to have a long career in football. He’s very intelligent. [Chelsea assistant coach] Willy Caballero was also part of that Málaga team and later at Manchester City — two players with a lot of experience in different countries and real quality, both as players and individuals.”

“You can often tell which players might go on to be good coaches — from the impression they have on others, how they absorb concepts in training. With both Enzo and Willy, I was sure they’d go on to become influential coaches on a global level.”

Pellegrini also addressed the attacking intent Chelsea and Maresca hold as he continued,

“Chelsea, knowing Enzo [Maresca], is a team that comes out to play from the first minute. It’s going to be a very entertaining match from both sides, with all the caution that must be exercised [by both] given the evenly matched teams that both clubs have, but Chelsea will be trying to win the game.”

Chelsea came in after major victories over Nottingham Forest and Manchester United in their previous two games. Failing to score in only two games since February, Maresca and his side have kept a constant threat in the final third throughout the season.

Isco and Antony: Key Players for Real Betis in the UEFA Conference League Final

Real Betis have relied on their talismanic duo of Isco and Antony significantly this campaign. With one being the architect of the threat and the other responsible for killer blows, Betis have improved significantly since their arrival.

🚨🇧🇷 Betis manager Pellegrini: “Antony wanted revenge… we’d like to keep him here but it’s not easy when you pay 100m for a player”.

“Antony is a great player and it was a good time in Betis improving in his career”. pic.twitter.com/dFjTKaJPQr
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 27, 2025

Talking about how the veteran Isco serves as a role model to the youngsters and the impact Antony has had since his arrival, Pellegrini in his interview continued,

“Isco is a role model for young players because of everything he’s achieved and all of his trophies. He’s an example of how he trains every day and the demands he puts on himself, both with and without the ball. He’s self-critical and doesn’t blame anyone else, only himself. That’s how I’ve approached things myself throughout my life.”

“Antony has undoubtedly brought us a lot — he’s showing it with all the assists and the quality he’s added, as well as the progress the team has made since he arrived in January. Considering the player he is, it makes sense why such a large sum was paid to take him from Ajax to Manchester United.”

Antony has scored four goals and three assists in UECL for Real Betis since his arrival in January. Providing the flair from the right flank, the Brazilian has shown his worth since the move from Manchester United.

ALSO READ: Real Betis vs Chelsea Head to Head: Who Holds the Edge in Overall Record Ahead of Conference League Final? – The Playoffs

Pellegrini also talked about believing that they can perform exceptionally well on the pitch and deliver a great game to anyone. Secondly, he also said that he always has been in favour of the idea that teams exist to entertain and captivate their audience.

Chelsea after securing the UCL spot in the Premier League will look to ponder upon the stages. Having lost only two of their last 10 contests, Maresca’s side will be a tough cookie for Real Betis to break on Wednesday.

Chelsea

Chelsea vs Real Betis

Manuel Pellegrini

Real Betis

UEFA Conference League

Mayur Dedwal

soccer

I’m a Sports Content Writer with expertise in football. Being a decade old football enthusiast and part-time coach, I try to bring to life to the articles in a statistical manner. Being around all kinds of sports updates and able to put in my perspective’s to the happenings in the world of football are few of the many things i like in doing what i do. You can find me playing Sunday leagues or Xbox on weekends!