Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca is set for a poignant encounter in the Conference League Final, facing his mentor and former boss Manuel Pellegrini, whom he affectionately calls his "professional dad." The final, scheduled for May 28 in Wroclaw, Poland, promises to be a thrilling showdown between Chelsea and Pellegrini’s Real Betis.

Maresca’s connection with Pellegrini dates back to their time together at Malaga, where Pellegrini first recognized Maresca’s potential as a future manager. Later, Maresca served as Pellegrini’s assistant at West Ham, further solidifying their bond. Reflecting on their relationship, Maresca said, "He is like my professional dad. I know exactly how he thinks about players, but the most important thing is that he’s honest and a good person."

The road to the final was dramatic. Chelsea secured their spot with a 1-0 victory over Djurgarden, advancing 5-1 on aggregate. Meanwhile, Real Betis battled through extra time to edge out Fiorentina 4-3 on aggregate. Maresca admitted he was late to a press conference because he was watching Betis’s thrilling victory, stating, "I’m happy to face Betis, especially because of Manuel Pellegrini."

Adding to the drama, Maresca has a storied history with Betis’s fierce rivals Sevilla, where he enjoyed the most successful phase of his playing career, winning two Europa League titles and a Super Cup. He expects a hostile reception from Betis fans, saying, "I played four years for Sevilla, that is a big derby against Betis. I know that they don’t like me, but no doubt that I want to win the final."

For Chelsea, the Conference League represents a chance to become the first club in Europe to win all major competitions, having already secured the Champions League and Europa League. Maresca emphasized the importance of the tournament, stating, "The Conference League is a starting point to build a winner mentality and then try to win more things and more titles."

As the final approaches, all eyes will be on this emotional clash between mentor and protégé, with both teams vying for European glory.