Enzo Maresca offers damage updates for Chelsea, feels Atalanta have impressed tactical modifications in Serie A and divulges Raffaele Palladino ‘studied a few of our coaching classes’ this yr.
The Champions League assembly kicks off on the New Stability Area in Bergamo on Tuesday at 20.00 GMT.
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Chelsea received the Convention League and FIFA Membership World Cup final season, however have had combined ends in the Champions League to this point this time period, in a position to beat Barcelona 3-0 and draw 2-2 with Qarabag.
Accidents proceed to pile up, with
Maresca brings Chelsea again to Italy
COBHAM, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 08: Enzo Maresca, Supervisor of Chelsea, throughout a coaching session at Chelsea Coaching Floor on December 08, 2025 in Cobham, England. (Photograph by Jasper Wax/Getty Photographs)
“He had been out for a few months, now he’s coming again, however can’t play each three days but. He performed an hour final week and the concept is to guard him from any relapses,”
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“We had just a few damage issues, presumably additionally because of final season being very lengthy. Delap had some points, he returned and now has a brand new shoulder drawback, Cole had an issue too.
“We’ll attempt to do what we’ve been doing in each recreation, which is to provide our greatest and preserve going.”
Reece James and Wesley Fofana are each within the squad and will function tomorrow.
BERGAMO, ITALY – NOVEMBER 30: Raffaele Palladino, Head Coach of Atalanta BC appears to be like on previous to the Serie A match between Atalanta BC and ACF Fiorentina at Gewiss Stadium on November 30, 2025 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photograph by Marco Luzzani/Getty Photographs)
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from sacked Ivan Juric on November 11, however his reference to Maresca goes means again to their enjoying days at Juventus.
“After I arrived at Juve, Raffaele was there with Gasperini because the coach within the youth workforce, and from time to time he’d come to the senior squad.
“Earlier than he took over Atalanta, he got here to London to review a few of our coaching classes, we stayed involved, so sure we all know one another effectively.”
Each Juric and Palladino had been proteges of former Atalanta coach Gasperini, who has now moved to Roma after 9 years in Bergamo.
“There are all the time dangers, Atalanta are a really aggressive workforce who play a specific kind of soccer, we’ll attempt to do our greatest to get the win.”
COBHAM, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 08: Enzo Maresca, supervisor of Chelsea FC appears to be like on throughout a coaching session at Chelsea Coaching Floor on December 08, 2025 in Cobham, England. (Photograph by Jasper Wax/Getty Photographs)
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Gasperini’s inspiration unfold far and broad in Italian soccer, one thing that the Chelsea coach recognises.
“I believe Serie A modified lots, from completely different factors of view. The primary one most likely is by way of tactical, now many groups they attempt to, to not copy, however they attempt to do one thing related, what Atalanta has executed within the final years with Gasperini, so you possibly can see a lot of the workforce performed 5 on the again, a lot of the workforce tried to play man-to-man in every single place, if you happen to go to the bathroom, they comply with you in every single place, however it’s for certain in that facet, it modified lots in comparison with after I was a soccer participant.”
Maresca was requested if he may in the future return to Italy as a coach at one of many massive golf equipment, contemplating he solely had a quick spell at Parma lasting 14 video games in 2021.
“At this second, I signify one of the necessary golf equipment on this planet, which is Chelsea. I’m actually pleased. After that, what may occur after every week, a month, three or six months, no one is aware of, however we’ll see in future.”
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Talking within the press convention, Maresca was additionally pressed on what he misses probably the most about Italy, and the response was considerably inevitable.
“The meals. I’ve, when I’ve spare time, it’s virtually not possible, I’m a superb chef, I prefer to be, I like to show. It’s like a ardour for me, so I like meals.
“I can do completely different dishes, however particularly the one from, the one that you just battle to search out in a restaurant, as a result of they’re very, very typical from my mum, from my grandma, you recognize, so this sort of dish.”