Chelsea Secures Victory Over Barcelona

An own goal, combined with strikes from Estevao Willian and Liam Delap, propelled Chelsea to a remarkable victory. Ronald Araujo received a red card for Barcelona just before halftime.

Post-Match Reflections

When asked about the significance of triumphing over the LaLiga champions, Maresca expressed, “Personally, it’s a significant win, especially against a team like Barcelona. However, it doesn’t alter our identity or the goals we set for ourselves. While tonight’s match was important, it is just one game. Our focus now shifts to the next challenging match.”

Insights on Goalscorers

Maresca also commented on his players’ performances, stating, “Estevao had an excellent match, contributing beyond just his goal by enhancing our pressing game. Liam needed this moment, especially coming back from injury. He performed well against Burnley, but as a striker, goals are essential for him. We saw three goals disallowed tonight, which indicates we created enough chances to win.”

“The atmosphere was fantastic, particularly with our home fans. It’s always special to share such moments. I told the players that for the next 48 hours, it’s crucial to rest and recuperate, because we face Arsenal on Sunday. My main message post-match was to focus on recovery, as that’s the priority now. Starting Friday, we can turn our attention to Arsenal.”

Team Growth Through Experience

Maresca acknowledged that his young squad is progressing in Europe, bolstered by the success they achieved last season. Winning the Europa Conference League and the Club World Cup has fortified the players’ confidence for matches like the one on Tuesday.

He elaborated, “Certainly, winning the Club World Cup has instilled the necessary confidence in our players. Last year, we were competing in the Conference League, and I’ve often stated that to cultivate a winning mentality, one must win games. If we fail to secure victories, it becomes challenging to convince players that we are establishing a winning mindset.”

“The only method to build that mentality, regardless of the competition—be it the Conference League, Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup, or Carabao Cup—is to win matches. The success in the Conference League and the Club World Cup last season played a significant role, and we aim to replicate that success. Our players are also developing into better athletes compared to last season because we have spent more time together.”