Enzo Maresca
Enzo Maresca conducted his post-match press conference following Chelsea’s impressive 4-1 victory over Panathinaikos. This win, aided by two goals from Joao Felix, and one each from Mykhailo Mudryk and Christopher Nkunku, propelled Chelsea to the top of the Conference League table.
Enzo Maresca said “It was a very good performance. I think we struggled a little bit at the beginning of the game. And we adjusted; we struggled off the ball with our pressing, I think on the ball we were quite good – and then we made some adjustment and were much better. The most important thing, I always said, no matter how many players we change, you can see the identity of the team. We can do things better. The identity is quite clear, the way we play on the ball and the way we play off the ball. The players were having a laser pen shone at them… I said yesterday, I played one year in Greece and it’s something we prefer not, but it is what it is.”
Reflecting on Mudryk’s performance,
Enzo Maresca said “Very happy, not for me but for him. We as a staff, we spend a long, long time to help the players; not only Misha but the whole squad. Since we started, we are working with Misha and all the wingers to arrive in the box, into the position where Misha scored. He struggled to arrive there and now he is starting to arrive there. That is where we are going to score goals. It’s for him, it’s for Jadon [Sancho], it’s for Noni [Madueke], it’s for Pedro [Neto] – all of the wingers. They need to be in position because the ball is going to arrive in that position. We want the best for Misha. Since day one, we are trying to help Misha. I’m sure that slowly, slowly we will have Misha scoring more goals and being important for us.”
Commenting on team changes,
Enzo Maresca said “No, to be honest, no. What we want is exactly what they are doing; taking the chance when we give them the chance. Now, tonight, once again they show that. They are doing that and that is important for us. For sure, Sunday now we are going to make changes because we have more players but the important thing is they perform in the right way and the identity of the team continues to be the same.”
Enzo highlighted the versatility of his players,
Enzo Maresca said “I just said to Renato, he has played already as a centre-back, a full-back, holding midfielder, attacking midfielder. He has already played four or five positions. One of my first press conferences, I said that the reason why I really like and love Chelsea is because many players can be versatile. Today, in my idea, if they can play different positions, then it is better for the team and especially for the players. Today, if you just play one position, I don’t think it’s enough. Renato, Malo [Gusto], they are playing in different positions and they are doing well.”
Enzo Maresca addressed the team’s league placement,
Enzo Maresca said “Can I ask a question to you? If we are a Champions League club, then why are we playing Conference League? It’s because last year, we qualified for the Europa League and then we play Conference. If we play Conference, then it’s because in this moment we belong to the Conference. If next year or two years we play Champions League, then it is because we deserve to play Champions League. I think football always puts you where you deserve to be. If we play Conference then it’s because we deserve it. The first target for us is the group stage and then we will go game by game and we will see. The important thing now is to finish the group stage well and qualify for the next round.”
