Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has opened up about his recent red card during the team`s 2-1 victory over Liverpool in the Premier League. Speaking at the Festival dello Sport in Trento, Maresca joked that the sending-off was “worth it” given the significance of the win.
The 45-year-old Italian received his second yellow card in the final minutes of the match after leaving his technical area to celebrate Estevao`s late winner with the players and fans. Maresca explained the emotional reaction, saying, “This is my second season at the club, but we`d never won in the last minute at home before. The reaction was instinctive, but perhaps it was worth it.”
Maresca also discussed the pressure he felt upon joining Chelsea, one of the world`s biggest clubs that had been struggling in recent years. He expressed satisfaction in helping to return the club to the top of English football.
Club World Cup and Conference League Triumphs
The coach went on to detail Chelsea`s recent success in the FIFA Club World Cup, where they defeated favorites Paris Saint-Germain in the final. Maresca praised his team`s performance, saying, “We beat a team that, I believe, was the strongest in the world at that moment.”
Prior to the Club World Cup victory, Chelsea had also claimed the UEFA Conference League title, making them the only club to have won all three major European competitions – the Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League. Maresca emphasized the importance he placed on the Conference League, stating, “I convinced my players that it was the most important thing in the world. As a result, we won two titles in two months.”
These recent successes have helped solidify Chelsea`s status as one of Europe`s top clubs and have vindicated Maresca`s appointment as head coach. The Italian`s passion for the job and his ability to motivate his players have been key factors in the team`s resurgence.