Enzo Maresca sad with Europa Convention League ultimate rescheduling as Chelsea handle Champions League battle

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has voiced displeasure over what he sees as an unfair scheduling benefit granted to Europa Convention League ultimate opponents Actual Betis.

The Spanish facet’s request to reschedule their ultimate La Liga match in opposition to Valencia has been granted, permitting them to play on Friday night. This provides Betis two additional days of relaxation earlier than the ultimate in Poland on 28 Could.

In distinction, Chelsea are nonetheless set to play their final Premier League recreation on Sunday in opposition to Nottingham Forest, one other crew vying for a spot in subsequent season’s Champions League.

That match, half of the Premier League’s synchronised ultimate spherical of fixtures, falls simply 72 hours earlier than the European ultimate.

Maresca made no effort to disguise his frustration at the distinction in preparation time.

He stated: “I’m not pleased, 100%, you can not enable one other crew 48 hours extra when you play a European ultimate.

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“[Either we play Friday] or they play Sunday like us. I don’t know if it is from LaLiga, the Premier League or UEFA, however if you ask folks in this room if it is regular to play a ultimate the place one other crew has 48 hours extra to put together, it is not regular.”

The scheduling imbalance has raised questions about coordination between UEFA and the home leagues. Whereas LaLiga allowed Betis to deliver their recreation ahead, the Premier League mandates that all matches in the ultimate spherical be performed concurrently to protect aggressive integrity amongst groups chasing European qualification or battling relegation.

Away from the scheduling anger, Chelsea stay struck by damage considerations. Christopher Nkunku and Marc Guiu are each again in coaching however might not be match in time.

“At the second, Guiu and Nkunku begin to take half in our classes, however are nonetheless not 100%,” the Chelsea boss added.

Chelsea’s European hopes subsequent season hinge on the subsequent few days. A top-5 end in the Premier League would safe Champions League qualification.

In any other case, a win in the Convention League ultimate would earn them a place in the Europa League. If they fall quick in each situations, they might discover themselves again within the third-tier competitors subsequent time period.