Chelsea’s Enzo Maresca is eager to play against his mentor, Manuel Pellegrini, whose Real Betis team reached the Conference League final.

A Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall goal gave Chelsea a 1-0 victory over Djurgarden (5-1 aggregate), and Betis’s 4-3 aggregate win against Fiorentina required extra time.

Maresca’s success has resulted in a match against a manager he’s known both as a player and a colleague—first as a player under Pellegrini at Malaga, then as his assistant at West Ham.

Attributing his lateness to watching Betis’ extra-time win, Maresca stated of the result: “Facing Betis pleases me, especially given Manuel Pellegrini’s presence.” He is like my professional dad. So we’ll be very happy.

“I had him four years, two as a player and two I was his coach, assistant coach. So I know exactly what he thinks about players, but the most important thing is that he’s honest, a good person, and and always tries to be honest with the player.

“And I try, personally, I try to learn a lot about his way.”

Maresca also enjoyed the most successful part of his playing career at Betis’s fierce rivals Sevilla, winning two Europa League trophies and a Super Cup, so expects to face crowd taunts.

“I played four years for Sevilla, that is a big derby against Betis,” he said. “We also won the derby 1-0, and I scored a goal. I know that they don’t like me; they don’t love me.

“I met my wife in Seville, she’s from Seville. My first son born in Seville. I played for Seville, but there is no doubt that I want to win the final.”

Chelsea aims to complete its Wroclaw, Poland assignment on May 28th, three days post-Premier League conclusion.

Maresca emphasized the significance of the club and its fans’ opportunity to become the first in Europe to win every competition, having already secured Champions League and Europa League victories.

“The Conference League is a starting point to build a winner mentality and try to win more things and more titles.”