The Betis Sprite, Conquering Europe

Real Betis is coming of age in Europe. The Verdiblanco team, one of the most storied and supported Spanish clubs, is on the brink of a unique night in its 118-year history. The Seville-based team is set to reenact the eternal battle of David versus Goliath in the Conference League final. Although it's the third-tier competition in the Old Continent, their opponent, Chelsea, is a name synonymous with the Champions League.

Facing them is a two-time European champion, whose budget surpasses that of all other tournament participants combined. The team led by Enzo Maresca, a former Sevilla player, who also played under Manuel Pellegrini at Málaga and assisted him at West Ham, stands between the Engineer's squad and the fifth official title in Betis's history, the first outside Spanish borders since the 1935 league and the Copa del Rey victories in 1977, 2005, and 2022.

Wroclaw hosts a clash between Chelsea's obligation to pursue more ambitious goals and Betis's dream, for whom a European final was once a far-fetched fantasy. Gone are the days of flirting with relegation, which saw the thirteen-bar crest endure the hell of the Second Division on three separate occasions in the 21st century.

The arrival of Pellegrini to Betis's bench in 2020 marked a turning point in the recent history of the Verdiblanco team, which since then has won a Copa del Rey in 2022 and established itself in the upper echelons of La Liga, with a fifth place, three sixth places, and a seventh position that have allowed them to renew their European spot over a whole five-year period, something only within reach of the best.

This era, one of the brightest remembered in Heliópolis, lacked the icing of a great adventure in the Old Continent. The Conference seemed the ideal stage, something that was put into question by Betis's hesitant performance in the group stage, with three wins, one draw, and two losses against seemingly manageable opponents.

Betis found its rhythm with the arrival of the knockout stages and a favorable draw, which kept the all-powerful Chelsea out of their path to the final. Along the way, they defeated Gent, Vitoria Guimaraes, Jagiellonia, and Fiorentina, already an opponent with pedigree.

A significant part of this successful trajectory was due to Isco's top form, the Verdiblanco compass, and the providential arrival of Antony, a winter signing with almost unprecedented impact that has changed the course for the Verdiblanco team to revitalize the Pellegrini era, the man who firmly believed in the possibility of reclaiming two talents destined for greater heights but who, for various reasons, were languishing before stepping onto the Benito Villamarín.

The Betis clings to the duo that perfectly blends Andalusian flair and Brazilian magic with the aim of overcoming Chelsea, whom they already defeated in the 2005-06 Champions League group stage, their only experience in the top continental competition. The 'Blues' have managed to secure eleven victories in twelve tournament matches with their B team and a half-paced version, averaging more than three goals per game.

With the goal of securing a Champions League spot through the Premier League already in the bag, the London team now sets its sights on becoming the first European club to win all possible titles in the Old Continent, as to their Champions League, Cup Winners' Cup, Europa League, and UEFA Super Cup trophies, they can now add a minor trophy to their ambitions, which would taste like glory to Betis.

Betis: Vieites, Sabaly, Bartra, Natan, Ricardo Rodríguez, Cardoso, Fornals, Antony, Isco, Abde, and Bakambu.

Chelsea: Robert Sánchez, James, Adarabioyo, Colwill, Cucurella, Caicedo, Enzo Fernández, Neto, Palmer, Sancho, and Jackson.

Referee: Irfan Peljto (Bosnia and Herzegovina).

Stadium: Stadion Wroclaw (Wroclaw).

Time and TV: 21:00 h. Movistar Liga de Campeones.