Conference League semi-finals highlight the competition's strengths and weaknesses | OneFootball

Since its inception in 2021, the UEFA Conference League has been a mixed bag. While many fans were skeptical of the motives behind the competition, there is doubt that the ensuing seasons have brought chaos to the European stage. While the competition has created many fiery contests, it has also created some heavy mismatches. Both of these scenarios were on full display in the two semi-finals yesterday between Chelsea, Djurgårdens, Real Betis and Fiorentina.

Chelsea celebrating one of its four goals - UEFA Conference League 2024/25 Semi Final First Leg | David Lidstrom/GettyImages

One of the big complaints about the competition was its mismatching of teams. Last season in the Premier League, Chelsea had a poor season, finishing 6th and placing into the Conference League. In the following campaign, the Blues have improved mightily, now competing for a Champions League spot in the current season. This drastic improvement has meant that the London side are now a part of a competition which matches them up with far inferior competition, such as yesterday's opponent, Djurgårdens. Despite their run to this semi-final, the Swedish side currently sit just 11th in their domestic league, reflecting a large gap in quality between the sides.

Mismatch in Sweden shows the competition's flaw

This gap in skill was on full display in their semi-final matchup. Chelsea dominated the first leg, recording a 4-1 win which included a weaker and more rotated side. While it was a great occasion for Djurgårdens to host European giants Chelsea, the difference in quality between the two sides meant that the matchup seemed to resemble more of a casual league fixture than a European semi-final.

Jadon Sancho celebrating his opening goal - UEFA Conference League 2024/25 Semi Final First Leg | David Lidstrom/GettyImages

Betis and Fiorentina prove the format can work

While this may have been an issue in Sweden, it was a different story in Spain. Real Betis hosted Fiorentina, in what could only be described as a fiery atmosphere. Behind a packed out stadium, Betis squeaked out a close 2-1 win behind a goal of great quality from January addition Antony. The match as a whole was very close, and was a great watch from a neutral perspective. In a contrast to the other semi-final, this matchup was close the whole way, and is set up for a tasty fixture in the return leg next week.

Isco and Luca Ranieri fighting for a loose ball - UEFA Conference League 2024/25 Semi Final First Leg | Denis Doyle/GettyImages

Nothing in life is perfect. While the Conference League has produced great contests such as the one between Betis and Fiorentina, it is only natural that as these smaller teams from around Europe advance, they will eventually run into a giant such as Chelsea, and may be mismatched. While the competition has brought many close matchups between sides closer to the mid-table than the title, it has also given sides from England and other large leagues an easy route to European success, facing smaller sides from outside the “top 5” leagues in Europe. The Conference League is not without flaws, but the close matchups seem to outweigh the few mismatches.