From Slips to Triumph: Enzo Maresca’s Insights on Chelsea’s Gritty Derby Win against Tottenham!
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Enzo Maresca
Enzo Maresca was asked whether the recent victory was his biggest win as Chelsea manager and what went wrong in the first 15 minutes.
Enzo Maresca said “I don’t know, to be honest. I’m not thinking about this. For sure, it is an important win. First of all, for the way [Chelsea won]. Personally, I don’t consider this game as the biggest win. I’ve said many times, this team is going to win games against big teams and it is going to lose games against big teams because it is football. The only thing I focus on is how we can improve.”
Enzo Maresca explained what went wrong at the beginning of the game, specifically addressing Marc Cucurella’s role in the early goals conceded.
Enzo Maresca said “Marc [Cucurella] said to me after the game that he tried to bring emotion into the game. It was probably too much. We conceded two goals because of Cucu and a couple of chances from where we wrong in the build-up. We create chances, we controlled the game, we keep the ball. Then at half-time, we changed something tactically and in the second-half, we deserved to win.”
Enzo Maresca expressed his satisfaction with the mental toughness his team demonstrated in the game.
Enzo Maresca said “Very happy. Since we started, we are trying to work in the way we want to play on and off the ball. Also, the togetherness. We were ready for that. It was probably too much to give away two goals in 15 minutes but it is the perfect win.”
Enzo Maresca discussed Cole Palmer’s penalty-taking ability, mentioning that he hadn’t seen him practice them.
Enzo Maresca said “Since we started, I have not seen Cole shooting penalties. In terms of the second penalty, he’s Cole. He’s Cole. The good thing about him tonight was Bissouma was marking him man-to-man, so he needs to learn how to play against a team that goes man-to-man with him, but he was fantastic. His pressing, his work off the ball. Nico, Cole and the two wingers.”
Enzo Maresca addressed how Cole Palmer is proficient in penalties without apparent practice and remarked on Palmer’s skills.
Enzo Maresca said “Because Cole belongs to that kind of players. They are not normal players, they are top players. Top players do things that normal players, or us, cannot do that. It’s because he’s top. We can expect this from him.”
Enzo Maresca provided an update on Romeo Lavia’s condition after he experienced a hamstring issue.
Enzo Maresca said “Unfortunately he felt something in his hamstring in the last minutes of the first-half. Now, he was working without pain. I don’t like to lose players for five, six or seven games in a row. Even if Romeo was playing fantastic in the first-half but we changed because he had a problem.”
Enzo Maresca explained the issue Cucurella faced with his boots during the match.
Enzo Maresca said “It can happen. Unfortunately it happened to the same player twice. But I think it happens many times in football that a player slips.”
Enzo Maresca reflected on his celebration with the fans following the match and emphasized its significance.
Enzo Maresca said “We work every day for these kind of moments, celebrating with the fans. For sure, tonight was a derby and the way we are in this moment, we are all happy. To share that moment is fantastic. We need our fans, home and away. I will tell them now in this moment that we need them against Brentford. It won’t be an easy game so we need them to help and push us.”
Enzo Maresca was asked if he considers Cole Palmer the best player in the Premier League and praised Palmer’s qualities and consistency over the years.
Enzo Maresca said “For us, for sure. But in the Premier League, there are top players, top talents. Cole belongs to those players. I had Cole with one year four years ago at Man City Under-23s, so I know Cole from then. The best thing about him, he was then in one way and now after two years, 20 goals, 25 goals last season, and considered one of the best – he is exactly the same guy. Loves football, humble, no strange things and this is the best thing for Cole. Today, young players, if they play one good game they already think… and then they lose the balance. Cole is always the same.”
Enzo Maresca spoke about Jadon Sancho’s performances in recent games and what he needs to maintain.
Enzo Maresca said “Since we started, the reason why Jadon came here is because we think Jadon is going to help us. Unfortunately he had small problems so he was out for a while. Now he is back and the only thing he has to do is continue in the same way. He cannot drop, otherwise he is not going to play. His performance and Pedro Neto, on and off the ball was very good. This is what we need.”
Enzo Maresca elaborated on the tactical tweak made during half-time that helped the team secure a victory.
Enzo Maresca said “There was no problem, to be honest. I think the plan first-half was working well. We were attacking, in control of the game but conceded two goals. I was very happy. In the first-half, we had Cole Palmer on one side and Enzo Fernandez on the other side. In the second-half, we had Cole Palmer on one side and Cucurella on the other side. We changed something in behind. It was just for this reason. I think it worked well in the end and we won the game.”
Enzo Maresca responded to Levi Colwill’s comments on being in a title race and emphasized focus and continuous improvement.
Enzo Maresca said “No, exactly. After the game, my message to the players was to be focused day by day, in our session, the next game on Thursday and then Sunday. The fans can dream because from the outside, it is quite clear and inside, the reality is we are not ready but the important thing is we improve day by day.”
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