The group stage of the UEFA Conference League has concluded after the final matchday. Chelsea emerged as the group stage champions, securing direct qualification to the next round along with seven other clubs.
Chelsea, under Enzo Maresca’s leadership, finished as the undisputed leader of the group stage in this third-tier European competition. The London-based team was the only one to win all of their matches, with an impressive record of 26 goals scored and only 5 conceded.
Following the completion of the group stage, the top eight teams advance directly to the round of 16. Teams finishing between 9th and 24th place will compete in a preliminary round. The clubs ranked 9th to 16th will face those ranked 17th to 24th, with the higher-ranked teams playing the second leg at home. The eight winners of these playoff matches will progress to the round of 16.
Spanish Teams’ Performance
Real Betis, the sole Spanish representative in the Conference League, secured their place in the playoffs with a victory. Manuel Pellegrini’s side won their third match and second consecutive game in the European competition, defeating HJK 1-0 with an early goal from Johnny Cardoso. This win placed Betis 15th in the overall standings, ensuring their playoff spot.
Final Standings
Chelsea topped the table with 18 points, while Petrocub finished last with 2 points. Guimaraes, Fiorentina, Rapid Wien, Djurgarden, Lugano, Legia Warszawa, and Cercle Brugge completed the top 8, directly advancing to the next round. Real Betis secured the 15th position in the final standings.
Aditya Kapur