Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has been talking to the media earlier than Tuesday’s Champions League recreation in opposition to Barcelona at Stamford Bridge (kick-off 20:00 GMT).
Listed below are the important thing strains from his information convention:
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Maresca confirmed that Cole Palmer, who has a specifically tailored boot to guard his fractured toe, will likely be again “quickly” as he’s “already touching the ball and the sensation is nice”. Nonetheless, Maresca doesn’t really feel in the mean time his playmaker will likely be able to face on the weekend.
The Blues boss acknowledged it is a “massive week” for Chelsea, however with video games developing away from residence in opposition to , and Atalanta then it’s “at all times a giant week” and “at all times essential video games”. He added: “Video games like Barcelona and Arsenal are essential for various causes, however I feel the perfect factor for us is to go recreation by recreation.”
On comparisons for Estevao Willian with Lamine Yamal and whether or not he ought to embrace it or shut it out: “Estevao is already enjoying at a excessive degree, beginning already with Brazil. He’s very younger, for certain he can do many issues higher, however we’re very proud of him.”
He continued: “For me, it is roughly the identical factor I mentioned about Pedri. It’s good for individuals who love soccer to look at gamers like Estevao, Lamine Yamal and Pedri – that is the great thing about the soccer. We’re completely satisfied Estevao is with us and for certain, he’s going to do effectively.”
On whether or not Estevao will be as influential for Chelsea as Yamal is for Barcelona: “He will be. He’s going to be an essential participant for this membership, little question. An important factor for Estevao is that he has to take pleasure in soccer, he must be completely satisfied, and never take into consideration being higher than this participant or one other participant. Solely take into consideration himself and attempt to be higher, working exhausting day-to-day.”
Requested about stopping striker Robert Lewandowski, Maresca insisted they’ll “as at all times, try to defend as a group” and be “aggressive in the best way we attempt to defend”.
He accepted the risk Barcelona will pose, however highlighted his personal aspect’s skills: “They’ve so many gamers [who can score], however on the identical time we’ve got so many gamers that may attempt to win the sport.”
On if groups can nonetheless win the most important trophies enjoying within the Barcelona model of the previous that impressed him: “I do not know. I made a decision to be a supervisor due to Pep’s [Guardiola] Barcelona group years in the past. I’ve mentioned many occasions any membership and group can resolve their strategy to play. I selected mine years in the past, that this is able to be the best way I like to look at my group enjoying soccer.”