With Champions League qualification secured on Sunday via a hard-fought but deserved victory at Nottingham Forest, Maresca, his staff, and the players' attention is now firmly on securing the only piece of European silverware missing from the Stamford Bridge trophy cabinet.

Betis, who finished sixth in La Liga, will not make it easy for the Blues in Wroclaw. Yet Maresca acknowledges the culture being instilled in his squad will only grow further by claiming victories in high-pressure games and lifting trophies.

He said: 'The Conference League is important, and it has been important since day one of the season. The reason why is because it is the competition we are in this season. We are in the Conference League, so for us, it’s the most important competition and we have to try to win.

'If we are able to win the game, it’s a good thing because we continue to build the winning mentality – and the only way to build this mentality is to win this kind of game.

'We have won many games this season, but it’s not enough. Sunday’s game is finished, and we are all happy, but tomorrow we must show the desire to win the game.'

With two Champions League, Europa League, and Cup Winners' Cup trophies on display at Stamford Bridge alongside the UEFA Super Cup, the missing piece of silverware from our European collection is that of the Conference League.

And if the Blues can overcome Betis, we will become the first club to win every major UEFA competition.

That feat isn't lost on Maresca, but he insists any personal ambition he has is dwarfed by his desire to bring success to the club and our supporters.

He said: 'I am not focused on winning this competition or trophy because my name will be there. For sure, I will be happy if we win, but I will be happy for the club and the fans, and because we can become the first club to win every European competition.'