Coming up against a familiar face in Pep Guardiola who he previously worked under, Enzo Maresca tasted defeat in charge of his first premier league game.
A lethargic showing from both teams under the London sunshine at the Bridge, but it was Pep’s team who looked the better as the game had shades of a first game back from a disjointed pre-season.
Now, we take a look at Enzo Maresca.
Taking charge of his first game, Enzo Maresca played what many perceives is his best 11 but the imbalance of a lineup consisting of too many ‘ball-to-feet’ players against a City side who keeps possession so well but are vulnerable in transition, it appears Maresca got it all wrong from the onset.
Ineffective flanks :
A lack of 1V1 threat on both flanks with both Palmer and Nkunku occupying the wings saw Rico Lewis and Gvardiol untroubled for most parts.
There are barely any excuses to defend Enzo as Chelsea do not lack 1V1 wingers on either flanks and considering Raheem Sterling has had good games whenever he’s come up against City since joining Chelsea, Maresca’s decision to leave him out of the matchday squad seems baffling.
Poor selection :
Maresca’s team selection today was a bit odd, and an unusual approach from what we have been seeing so far.
Fielding a midfield trio of Enzo, Lavia and Caicedo meant the Blues needed to compliment the trio’s passing with players able to make runs in behind.
Of the options selected by Enzo in attack, only an unfit Jackson was capable of making runs to stretch the City backline.
Ghosting in behind and timing runs to perfection are huge weapons in Sterling’s arsenal and the decision to leave him out once again screams ERRORS as there were barely any well timed runs made in behind City’s high defensive line.
Even Mykhialo Mudryk would have been a better fit, allowing Nkunku to play more central as he had in pre season.
Cole Palmer seemed isolated out wide and Chelsea’s attacks were missing his usual spark, with many of them being built down the left hand side.
Unfit players :
Players at different fitness levels is understandable this early into the campaign but Maresca’s decision not to field his ‘fittest’ team saw Chelsea play as second best for most parts.
Slow recovery runs whenever recovery runs were made (few times players didn’t bother), poor anticipation and players getting past too easily were reminiscence of Graham Potter’s terribly unfit Chelsea team.
On multiple occasions, Enzo Fernandez who was tasked with man-marking Kovaciç got nowhere near the former Chelsea player and Palmer seemed way too off the required fitness levels as he most times just jogged back to position when City had the ball.
There were also very little times where the Chelsea press regained the ball in City’s half as the press got beaten too easily at times.
Like mentioned earlier, varying fitness levels are not unheard of this early into the season but with multiple players complaining or going down due to cramp (Jackson, Fofana, Cucurella…), the onus is on Maresca to get the players fit or play the fittest team while the rest (especially late returnees) get up to full fitness.
It was strange to see Noni Madueke and Marc Guiu not start in the attack, considering they are much more fit than Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson.
It is only the first game of the season and there is no shame losing to the champions but with Swiss outfit Servette coming to town on Thursday, Enzo Maresca and his boys have a quick chance to set things right and get the season underway.
