Chelsea Dominate, but Can They Stay the Course?
With a flawless run so far, Chelsea are drawing all the attention in this season’s Europa Conference League. They bulldozed their way through the group stage, stacking up six wins in six games, a staggering +21 goal difference, and dropped only five goals across all matches. Their attacking numbers are almost ridiculous—26 goals from the likes of Marc Guiu, who scored six times in as many games, and a standout Cole Palmer. Add seasoned names like Enzo Fernández and Nicolas Jackson, and the squad is scary on paper.
Their latest result—a tidy 3-0 upper hand over Legia Warsaw in the quarter-finals—makes it look like Chelsea already have one foot in the semis. But while these European nights have been smooth, back home, things are less rosy. In the Premier League, Chelsea have been stumbling: eight away defeats in a row and the spotlight on boss Enzo Maresca is getting hotter. Fans don’t exactly trust Maresca’s game plan lately, especially when every away trip feels like a gamble.
Still, the Conference League has become the golden ticket for Chelsea to wrap up some silverware and secure European football next year. As knockout rounds turn serious, the big question is whether their free-flowing attack can cover up the inconsistencies that have hampered their domestic hopes.
Fiorentina’s Dogged Experience and Betis’s Sudden Swagger
It’s not just Chelsea’s story, though. Across the bracket, Fiorentina are turning heads for much different reasons. After gutting it out in back-to-back Conference League finals—only to fall short both times—they’re hungry to finally lift the trophy. This year, their foundation is rock solid defense and just enough punch up top. Moise Kean, who rattled in 22 goals already in the season, sums up their approach: clinical, efficient, and patient.
Fiorentina’s tactical discipline stands out. They know how to grind out results against the biggest Serie A clubs, sending a message that they’re tough to break down when it counts. Their slight 2-1 cushion over NK Celje in the quarters isn’t huge, but it underlines their habit of doing just enough to get by without fireworks.
Then there’s Real Betis, who seem to have found a new gear overnight. Their gamble on Antony, on loan from Manchester United, has paid off in a big way. Since his arrival, Betis have knuckled down and pulled off headline-grabbing wins over Real Madrid and Barcelona—no small feat in Spain. Around Antony, Giovani Lo Celso pulls the strings and Cedric Bakambu keeps defenders nervous. Betis are up 2-0 on Jagiellonia Bialystok, and suddenly, they’re being tipped as dark horses who can knock out anyone in a one-off.
What’s more, the bracket keeps the drama alive. Chelsea are set to meet the winner of Rapid Vienna and Djurgården in the semis—neither an easy task despite the Londoners’ firepower. Fiorentina and Betis are tucked on the other side, eyeing a collision course that could send either to a first-ever Conference League final. If it becomes a Betis-Chelsea showdown for silverware, get ready for fireworks: Chelsea’s attacking force against Antony’s unpredictable skill.
- Chelsea are tipped at 4/9 odds to take the title.
- Betis follow behind at 4/1, riding their resurgence.
- Fiorentina, though often the bridesmaid, are close at 11/2, holding onto hope their moment finally arrives.
With Chelsea’s Premier League headaches amplifying the stakes in Europe, the pressure is real—and the margins for error are shrinking. The Conference League isn’t just a side quest for these clubs. For Chelsea, it could shape the whole outlook of next season. But with experienced Fiorentina and reinvented Betis lurking, every step on the path to Athens feels loaded with risk.