Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca says it is ‘not normal’ and ‘not correct’ that Real Betis will have almost 48 hours more preparation time for the Europa Conference League final.
The Premier League and La Liga clubs meet at the Stadion Miejski in Poland on May 28 to battle for the Europa Conference League trophy.
The competition gives Maresca the chance to lift his first trophy as Chelsea manager and qualify for next season’s Europa League.
Chelsea of course have bigger aspirations than the Europa League and head into the final day of the Premier League season with Champions League qualification in their hands.
Maresca takes Chelsea to the City Ground on Sunday knowing victory over Nottingham Forest would send the Blues back into the Champions League.
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Chelsea may still finish in the top-five and qualify for Europe’s top club competition if they drop points against Champions League-chasing Forest.
Regardless of the result, Chelsea’s attentions will soon turn to the Europa Conference League final, which takes place just three days after their clash with Forest.
Real Betis play their final La Liga game against Valencia on Friday night meaning they will have almost two days extra to prepare for the final in Poland.
While the final day of the Premier League will see all ten games kick off at the same time, La Liga’s final league games have been staggered over the weekend.
Asked for his thoughts on the difference in preparation time, Maresca said at a press conference: ‘I am not happy, 100%.
‘You cannot allow a team 48 hours more time when they are playing a European final.’
‘I don’t know if it’s the Premier League, La Liga or UEFA [responsibility] but it is not normal to play a team who has had 48 hours more time than you.
‘It is not correct. I don’t know who it is but there should be rules, absolutely yes.’
Asked if he wishes Chelsea were given the opportunity to play on Friday evening like Betis, Maresca added: ‘Or they play on Sunday like us.’
Real Betis are sixth in La Liga under former Real Madrid and Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini.
Maresca refused to comment on the impressive form of Manchester United flop Antony at Betis but did heap praise on five-time Champions League winner Isco.
‘Isco is a top player,’ Maresca said. ‘He spent many years with Real Madrid.
‘We played together when he was really young [at Malaga]. We had Ruud van Nistelrooy, Santi Cazorla, Joaquin, and me!’
Maresca also confirmed Filip Jorgensen would start in goal for Chelsea, as he has does throughout the club’s European campaign.
Asked whether Jorgensen would be relied upon or Premier League No. 1 Robert Sanchez would come in, Maresca added: ‘Filip is going to play in the final.
‘He’s played all competition, it would be unfair to take him out now. It will be Filip plus 10 players, I’m not sure who else will play. For sure he deserves to play in the final.’
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