In a friendly match against Real Madrid, Chelsea suffered a 2-0 defeat, exposing the team’s defensive vulnerabilities, according to manager Enzo Maresca. “I think offensively we played a good game, but defensively we had some problems that we need to solve and adjust,” Maresca said, highlighting the need to improve defensive strategies.
A persistent issue has been the team’s high defensive line, which has led to conceding goals. Maresca noted, “It’s a habit from last year, or years ago; I don’t know.” He emphasized the need to change this habit, saying, “We are trying to drop the defensive line a little bit, usually about four or five meters, just to have some advantage and prevent opponents from exploiting the space behind our defense.”
Maresca also highlighted the team’s inability to capitalize on scoring opportunities. “Once again today we created 6, 7 clear chances. I think the problem is more in the moment, defensively, where we need to improve things,” he said, stressing the importance of converting chances into goals.
Despite the defeat, Maresca remained positive about the team’s overall performance. “Any team wants to do something, they want to win games and compete. They have to work in the right way defensively,” he emphasized, encouraging his team to learn from mistakes.
One bright spot was Christopher Nkunku’s performance, who showcased his versatility and skill on the field. Maresca said, “For me, he played a very good game. We are trying to use him as an attacking midfielder and a striker, depends on the moment, to maximize his impact.”
Maresca provided an update on key players’ fitness, saying, “We will see if Nicolas Jackson, Cole Palmer, and Marc Cucurella will be ready for the Inter Milan game or the Man City game. Hopefully, the City game.”
Enzo Fernandez’s leadership skills were praised by Maresca, who said, “He’s one of the important players. To be honest, I think when we changed Reece, he gave the captain’s armband to Enzo, and this shows how Enzo is respected inside the squad for his leadership and vision.”
Maresca acknowledged the team’s defensive issues have been a persistent problem, saying, “Last year, we already conceded many goals with this problem. Hopefully, we can solve it very soon.”
The manager emphasized the need for teamwork to improve defensively, saying, “It’s difficult when you concede one goal or two, always starting behind. We need to work together to prevent goals and create a solid foundation for our attacks.”
