We didn’t have it all our own way in Wroclaw; a ninth-minute goal from Abde Ezzalzouli ensured that. The first half was a struggle and chances were had to come by. Betis deserved their lead at the break.

It was an entirely different story in the second period. Cole Palmer fashioned Enzo Fernandez’s equaliser midway through the half and then repeated the trick to enable Nicolas Jackson to put us ahead.

Jadon Sancho struck with seven minutes remaining to give the Blues breaching space, and Moises Caicedo then added gloss to the scoreline in stoppage time with a finish from the edge of the box.

Come the full-time whistle, we very much deserved to lift the trophy. And Maresca was proud of his players, who had two fewer days to prepare for the final.

He said: ‘I expected a little bit the way we played in the first half. The reason why – and I said a week ago – you can’t give any advantage to a team and between them and us, 48 hours is a very difference.

‘They played on Friday and had a game where they were playing for nothing. On Sunday, we played for 100 minutes, and played to the very last seconds to achieve something important.

‘At half time, we adjusted something tactically, we changed something and second half we were much better in the second half. We are very happy.’

For the majority of players within the Blues squad, the Conference League trophy is the first piece of silverware won at club level. It is a landmark moment – and the winning feeling will long be remembered.

Maresca says there is more to come from his squad, though.

‘Hopefully, it can be a starting point [toward further success in the future], he said. 'To build a winning mentality, you need to win games and competitions. For sure, the trophy we won tonight will make us better.

'But also, I’m very proud of the path, the journey, we have done in the Premier League. That is the most difficult competition in the world, you need to be consistent over 38 games, and these players showed that.

'It's why, after Nottingham Forest, my outburst was exaggerated. But over 38 games, you have to be consistent and with the youngest squad in the history of the Premier League, it is something unbelievable.’

Mark our Conference League triumph – and the Blues becoming the first club to win every major European trophy! – by clicking here to buy a commemorative t-shirt from our 'We've won it all again' range!