Chelsea Manager Enzo Maresca Reflects on Manchester City Defeat: ‘We Could’ve Changed the Game’
Enzo Maresca had hoped his Chelsea side could turn the tables on his former mentor Pep Guardiola in their second Premier League meeting of the season.
But despite a strong start, the Blues were unable to capitalize on their early momentum, falling 2-1 to Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.
Noni Madueke’s early strike gave Chelsea a promising start, but goals from Josko Gvardiol and Erling Haaland secured all three points for City, sweeping the season series after their 4-2 win earlier in the campaign.
Reflecting on the defeat, Maresca acknowledged the progress his team has made but lamented their inability to put the game out of reach when they had the chance.
“We Could’ve Scored the Second”
Speaking to the media after the match, Maresca highlighted Chelsea’s strong opening but admitted the missed opportunities were costly.
“The game started very well for us. We scored first and could’ve scored the second one two or three times,” he said.
“That would’ve changed the game completely. Against this team, with the quality they have, things can change at any moment.”
Despite the loss, Maresca remained positive about his team’s growth over the season.
“For me, we are better than we were one or two months ago. These moments will help us improve even more. We’ll see where we stand at the end of the season.”
Sanchez Under Scrutiny
Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez faced criticism for his performance, with Maresca offering a mix of encouragement and realism.
“Robert knows he has to do better. The good thing is that he acknowledges it and is working hard every day. We have full confidence he will improve,” Maresca explained.
Mindset at 1-0
When asked about Chelsea’s mentality after taking the lead, Maresca pointed to the fine margins that define games against elite opposition.
“We were there. After we scored the first one, we could’ve gotten the second. The team stayed strong even at 1-1.
We knew City would create chances, and when you leave someone like Haaland one-on-one, it’s always dangerous.”
While the result wasn’t what Chelsea had hoped for, Maresca’s belief in his squad’s progress remains steadfast.
With more hard work and focus, he believes Chelsea can continue their upward trajectory in the Premier League.
