Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca struck a defiant tone as he reflected on his side’s 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa on Saturday.
Despite the disappointment of conceding a lead and losing to a top-four rival, Maresca insisted that there were plenty of positives to take from the performance.
“I think the goal we conceded for sure changed the dynamic of the game. I don’t know if it’s the three changes, but for sure, until the goal we conceded, we were in control,” he said after the game.
“I think by the time we conceded the first goal, we should have scored two or three goals and then after the goal we conceded, the game completely changed.
“For sure, we have to be clinical because, again, as I said, by the time they scored the goal, I think we should have scored two or three goals and the game is different.
“But also, it’s probably how we can improve after we concede a goal to manage the game a little bit better, probably, in terms of game after game experience, these kind of things.”
One of the biggest positives for Chelsea was the return to fitness of Estevao and Liam Delap, both of whom featured in the match. Maresca also provided an encouraging update on Cole Palmer, who is nearing a return to the starting 11.
The manager’s tactical decisions have been under scrutiny following the defeat, particularly the decision to sit deep in the second half, but Maresca defended his approach, noting that Villa’s quality eventually told.
Chelsea currently sit in the middle of a congested pack fighting for European qualification, and the manager is aware that consistency will be key in the second half of the campaign.
The festive period is always a testing time for Premier League squads, and Chelsea are no exception. With several players still working their way back to full fitness, Maresca will be forced to rotate his lineup for the upcoming fixtures.
The club is also expected to be active in the January window, with rumors of both arrivals and departures continuing to circulate.
If Chelsea can turn their dominant spells into goals, they remain a formidable opponent for any team in the division.