WROCLAW, POLAND - MAY 28: Malo Gusto of Chelsea FC reacts during the UEFA Conference League Final 2025 between Real Betis Balompie and Chelsea FC at Stadio Wroclaw on May 28, 2025 in Wroclaw, Poland. (Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images) (Image: Jonathan Moscrop, Getty Images)
Malo Gusto has promised to bounce back with renewed vigour following his European blunder. The Chelsea star was replaced at half-time of their UEFA Conference League final win over Real Betis, having endured a nightmare first half in Wroclaw. Gusto's slip-up saw Betis take the lead in the first half. However, a tactical switch saw Chelsea stage a remarkable comeback to run out 4-1 champions, capturing a European title.
Despite the evening's mixed emotions, the French defender is embracing the experience as an integral lesson. He reflected: "The first half was complicated. I had good ideas but the reality was not good. That can happen. I just tried to switch off straight after the game before I went to the national team.
"Mentality is the most difficult part of football. Sometimes you have bad moments and it can be hard to do better straight after. The most important thing is to switch off.
"But in football we have many games and there's a chance after the bad game that you get another three days after so you have to try to avoid the bad moments, the bad feelings in your mind and just focus on after."
Gusto, speaking before Chelsea's impending Club World Cup clash with Flamengo on Friday, is now geared up to relish a significant milestone in his career by featuring in the Champions League. His ambitions outlined: "Those were our objectives, to get top four, to be in the Champions League for the next season, to win the Conference League and we've done that.
Malo Gusto's night ended on a high as he lifted the Conference League trophy. (Image: Getty Images)
"Now the most important thing is to play well in the Champions League, to show to people we deserve to be here.
"To come into Stamford Bridge and hear the Champions League music. It will be my first time to play this competition so I'm excited, proud.
"It's a big challenge but I think it's similar to the Premier League because every game is tough, maybe even more so in the Champions League but we are ready. We have many top players in the squad and now we just have to be ready for next season."