"A very strange game" - Enzo Maresca gives honest opinion on Chelsea's loss to Manchester City
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has delivered his verdict after the Blues suffered a 4-2 loss against Manchester City in their pre-season friendly at the Ohio Stadium on Saturday (August 3).
Erling Haaland looked in exceptional form, netting a penalty in the fourth minute before scoring a minute later after Moises Caicedo lost possession to him. Chelsea were made to pay once again in the 55th minute when Raheem Sterling lost possession to Oscar Bobb who made no mistake to make it 3-0.
Malo Gusto was guilty of making another mistake in possession a minute later, which led to Haaland completing his hat-trick. The Blues valiantly fought back, halving the deficit through Sterling (59') and Noni Madueke (89') but were unable to stage a comeback.
Despite conceding four goals with all of them resulting from lapses of concentration, Chelsea were statistically the better team. They had 57 percent possession compared to City's 43 percent. In addition, they landed 12 shots in total while the Cityzens mustered 10.
Maresca gave a detailed verdict following the game, stating (via Football London):
"A very strange game, to be honest, because we planned the game and I think the plan was good in terms of the way we wanted to attack and defend. In the first-half, apart from the first five minutes when we conceded two goals, the team was good."
He added:
"But it is a strange game because you plan the game in one way, then you concede two goals and it changes the dynamic. What can I say about the first-half? The team was good on the ball, creating some chances, finding the right players and the right spaces.
"We had a lack of quality in the last third; especially in the one-v-one on both sides. On one side with Malo we expected that and on the other side we can do a bit better. This is the analysis of the game."
Chelsea next face Real Madrid in a friendly on Tuesday, August 6.
"He is one of our important players" - Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca explains what role he wants from Raheem Sterling
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has revealed he will be utilizing Raheem Sterling as a winger and doesn't see the England international in any other position in his lineup. He also stated that Sterling is one of the most important players in his squad.
Sterling has featured in all four friendlies under Maresca this summer, with Chelsea winning just one game so far against Club America (3-0). They drew 2-2 with Wrexham while losing two against Celtic (4-1) and Man City (4-2).
As per the aforementioned source, Maresca said:
"The position of Raheem, for me, is a winger; the position he was in the first four games with us. I don't see him in another position. In any game, it can happen when we need to use him in a different position. For sure, he is one of our important players, together with the rest.
"At this moment, sometimes he is playing from the start, sometimes he goes inside. The important thing is we give him minutes, and he is doing well."
Maresca will be aiming to get the best out of Sterling this season. The 29-year-old struggled under Mauricio Pochettino last season, garnering 10 goals and eight assists in 43 appearances across competitions.