Maresca praises Pellegrini and cites it for the final Betis – Chelsea: “It’s one of my professional parents”

It was last February in that previous one in front of the Getafe in which Isco resolved double the day they expelled Antony (1-2). Betis had just been paired with the Vitoria de Guimaraes in the round of 16 of the Conference League and Not so with Chelseathat was then drawn on the other side of the painting. Only in the event that both were going to be found frankly in the Grand Final of Breslavia to be held on May 28. And that will finally happen after both the Verdiblanco and the London team managed to overcome that round, that of rooms and then appeal in the semifinal Two years at his orders in the English West Ham Staff.

He went to question and re -question of ABC When Pellegrini left his formal speech for the duel in front of the Bordalás team, surprising all the journalists who were present there: «I said before the draw that gave me the same as the opponent was. I wish it would not have been Chelsea, especially by Enzo Maresca. If we run into the final, better. They are equally complicated rivals, they left in the upper area of ​​the group and hopefully these two games are focused on Getafe and Real Madrid. I sent him a message and told him that we were in the final». Football is always capricious but ambition and good football has not abandoned a second or Betis or Chelsea, which will fight for eternity at the end of May, and it is remembered that the Verdiblancos are at the gates of getting their first continental tournament throughout its history.

Three months after those statements, those words have had replica on the opposite side as long as Chelsea has sealed its passport. He did it without the need for extension in front of Djugen, but something curious happened: Maresca did not go to the press conference until he saw how his mentor ended With the Fiorentina thanks to the goal of Abde’s madness (2-2). Then the Italian coach came out to wish the best of the luck to his teacher, but clarify that Chelsea will go for all in the final event: “I am happy to face Betis, especially for Manuel Pellegrini,” was what Maresca said first. «As I said, it is one of my professional parents, so I am very happy. I learned a lot from him, especially to lead the players and a team, ”he said, not without hiding his Sevilla’s feeling, something he has never hidden:” I met my wife in Seville, and she is Sevillian. My first child was born in Seville. I played four years with Sevilla, an important derby against Betis, and marked a goal when we won a 1-0 derby, so I know they don’t love me!

While his participation in that Champions Malaga was key, with the connection between the coach and the one who was a footballer, it was closest if the link in the coaching staff of the West Ham in 2018 can be linked, a stage that Maresca will never forget: «I had it for four years, two as a player and two as an assistant coach, so I know exactly how he thinks of the players. The most important thing is that He is honest and good person. He always tries to be honest with his players, and tried to learn a lot from his style, ”was what he exposed in another order of things. On May 28, teacher and student they will see their faces again and only one will leave as champion of the Conference League 2024-25.