Maresca Reveals Frustration After Southampton Win and Warns Chelsea About Spurs Threat
Enzo Maresca admits he was unhappy with Chelsea's early pressing mistakes against Southampton and cautions his team to be prepared for Tottenham's "fantastic" quality.
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has revealed he was left “upset” by a key aspect of his team’s performance during their impressive 5-1 victory over Southampton. While the dominant scoreline suggested a near-perfect display, the Italian tactician highlighted concerns about his side’s start to the match and emphasized the challenges of facing a “fantastic” Tottenham Hotspur team on Sunday.
Chelsea’s midweek victory might have excited fans, but Maresca was quick to point out a flaw in their approach during the opening exchanges.
“I was upset in the first 15 or 20 minutes because we were wrong in the way we were pressing,” Maresca explained. “Until the first or second goal, I called some players to the bench, we needed to change. If you don’t press Southampton man-to-man, you struggle to recover the ball.”
Despite his frustrations, Maresca praised his team’s offensive performance, noting that they could have scored even more than the five goals they netted.
However, Chelsea’s defensive lapses early in the match allowed Southampton to find an equaliser, which briefly unsettled the Blues before they regained control. Even with seven changes to the starting lineup, Maresca’s side showed their depth and resilience.
Reflecting on his team’s progress, Maresca acknowledged that Chelsea are ahead of expectations in terms of both points and their style of play.
“For sure. I said in terms of points and the way we want to play on and off the ball, I was convinced 100 percent we would reach this moment but not so early,” he said.
While pleased with their progress, Maresca remains focused on addressing areas for improvement, knowing there is still a long way to go in the season.
Chelsea now turn their attention to an important match against Tottenham Hotspur, a side Maresca respects greatly despite their recent loss to Bournemouth.
“They have very good players and a very good manager,” Maresca said. “What kind of problems they have, I don’t know. But they are a fantastic team. Two weeks ago, they beat City, so they are a very good team.”
The fixture will be a significant test for Chelsea, as they aim to build on their recent momentum and establish themselves as contenders this season.
Chelsea’s victory over Southampton displayed their attacking potential, but the Tottenham game offers an opportunity to send a stronger message. With Aston Villa currently the biggest scalp of the season, a win against Spurs would further validate Maresca’s philosophy and ambitions for the club.
Sunday’s match is shaping up to be a defining moment for Chelsea. If they can combine the attacking brilliance from midweek with the defensive solidity Maresca demands, the Blues could secure a statement victory over their London rivals.
