Introduction
The 2025 UEFA Europa Conference League Final brought two clubs that have very different traditions in football: Real Betis of Spain and Chelsea F.C. of England. It was played on the 28th of May in 2025 at Stadion Wroclaw in Poland This final was not just about winning the European trophy, but it was also about making an impression on the international stage.
Before kickoff, the most important concern for analysts and fans was how managers arrange their teams? Real Betis vs Chelsea F.C. lineups showed tactical choices stars, players with star status, and possible game-changers that determined the outcome of the game.
This article will take a look into what we call the beginning elevens of the team, substitutions the formations and tactical breakdowns and the key players in greater detail.
Match Overview
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Competition: UEFA Europa Conference League Final
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Date: 28 May 2025
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Venue: Stadion Wroclaw, Poland
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Fixture: Real Betis vs Chelsea F.C.
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Formations:
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Real Betis: 4-2-3-1
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Chelsea F.C. : 4-1-4-1
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Real Betis vs Chelsea F.C. Lineups – Starting XI
The coaches chose designs that reflected their footballing philosophy.
| Real Betis (4-2-3-1) | Chelsea F.C. (4-1-4-1) |
|---|---|
| GK: Adrian | GK: Filip Jorgensen |
| RB: Youssouf Sabaly | RB: Malo Gusto |
| CB: Marc Bartra | CB: Trevoh Chalobah |
| CB: Natan | CB: Benoit Badiashile |
| LB: Ricardo Rodriguez | LB: Marc Cucurella |
| CM: Pablo Fornals | CDM: Moises Caicedo |
| CM: Johnny Cardoso | CM: Enzo Fernandez (Captain) |
| RW: Antony | RW: Noni Madueke |
| CAM: Isco (Captain) | CAM: Cole Palmer |
| LW: Abdessamad Ezzalzouli | LW: Pedro Neto |
| ST: Cedric Bakambu | ST: Nicolas Jackson |
Substitutes and Bench Options
Real Betis Bench
Vieites, Gonzalez, Perraud, Altimira, Lo Celso, Ruibal, Mendy, Jesus Rodriguez, Ortiz, Flores, Pablo Garcia.
Chelsea F.C. Bench
Robert Sanchez, Lucas Bergstrom, Tosin Adarabioyo, Levi Colwill, Reece James, Josh Acheampong, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Mathis Amougou, Jadon Sancho, Christopher Nkunku, Marc Guiu.
The substitutes highlighted Chelsea’s depth of squad and international stars such as Sancho as well as Nkunku eager to play a role in the game. Betis was, however, dependent on the creativity of midfielders Lo Celso and the ability that is Ruibal.
Tactical Breakdown
Real Betis Setup – 4-2-3-1
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Midfield Shield: Johnny Cardoso and Pablo Fornals had double pivot roles in balancing buildup and defense.
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Creative Hub: Isco orchestrated play seeking to make use of spaces in Chelsea’s midfield.
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Wing-threatening: Antony on the right and Ezzalzouli on the left stretched Chelsea’s defence and played alongside Bakambu.
Chelsea F.C. Setup – 4-1-4-1
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Anchor Role: Moises Caicedo provided security and defense, securing the backline.
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Creative Duo: Enzo Fernandez and Cole Palmer combined to link midfield and attack.
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Wingplay: Noni Madueke and Pedro Neto pushed high, while Nicolas Jackson pressed Betis’ defenses.
Key Players in the Real Betis vs Chelsea F.C. Lineups
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Isco (Real Betis) As captain and playmaker Isco was the beating heart of Betis the team’s attacking play. His leadership and vision played a major role in their game plan.
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Cedric Bakambu (Real Betis) – The seasoned striker who is tasked with finishing moves crafted by Betis wide players.
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Cole Palmer (Chelsea F.C. ) The Chelsea’s spark of creativity and link between midfield and attack, and dictating the tempo.
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Enzo Fernandez (Chelsea F.C. ) The captain is responsible for direction and the progression of the ball.
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Nicolas Jackson (Chelsea F.C. ) The sole striker, who will be expected to convert opportunities and exert pressure up forward.
Real Betis vs Chelsea F.C. Lineups – Strengths and Weaknesses
| Aspect | Real Betis | Chelsea F.C. |
|---|---|---|
| Formation | 4-2-3-1 | 4-1-4-1 |
| Strengths | Creativity is evident through Isco Strong Wing play | Midfield control, squad depth |
| Weaknesses | Affected by counterattacks | Reliance on Jackson to achieve goals |
| Leadership | Isco’s experiences | Enzo Fernandez’s captaincy |
| Bench Options | Lo Celso, Ruibal | Sancho, Nkunku, Reece James |
Tactical Insights
The Real Betis vs Chelsea F.C. lineups highlighted the distinct styles of the two teams:
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Betis relied on technical creative thinking and broad play. Their strength was unlocking defenses with Isco’s passing as well as the speed that was played by Antony as well as Ezzalzouli. However, their backline comprising Bartra and Natan was at risk of being vulnerable to quick breaks.
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Chelsea was relying on the sturdy midfield backbone. Caicedo’s defensive play enabled Enzo as well as Palmer to move further. In addition, with Neto as well as Madueke providing the width, Chelsea had multiple attacking options. The issue was the question of whether Nicolas Jackson could deliver consistently as the only striker.
Why the Lineups Mattered
The Real Betis vs Chelsea F.C. lineups weren’t only names on paper. They provided insight into the approach of each manager. Chelsea’s more experienced bench suggests they were able to adapt later during the game, whereas Betis required to control the game early, thanks to Isco’s creativeness.
The balance of depth and creativity created a thrilling match for analysts and fans alike.
Conclusion
The Real Betis vs Chelsea F.C. squads of the 2025 UEFA Conference League Final showed two distinct theories:
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Real Betis brought creativity and technical skill along with Isco playing the guitar.
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Chelsea depended on the dominance of midfield and team depth The team was based on midfield dominance and squad depth, including Palmer and Enzo the two key players in their strategy.
While Betis was a shrewd and experienced player while Chelsea’s better options for bench players–Sancho Nkunku Reece James, and Nkunku — provided the team with flexibility to change the game in their favorable direction.
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