Chelsea manager expressed his frustration after his team's 4-2 loss to Manchester City, citing early goals conceded as a key issue. Erling Haaland's quick brace in the 4th and 5th minutes set the tone for City's dominant performance in front of 70,000 fans at Ohio Stadium.
The manager emphasized the need for his team to show resilience and strength after conceding goals, urging them to avoid quick follow-up goals. Despite the disappointing result, Maresca acknowledged the team's overall progress and highlighted the importance of learning from setbacks.
Reflecting on the match, Maresca noted that apart from the early goals, Chelsea performed well in the first half. He acknowledged the unpredictable nature of the game and the challenges it presents in adjusting strategies on the fly.
Chelsea's preseason has seen mixed results, including a draw with Wrexham, a loss to Celtic, and a victory over América. However, Maresca stressed that his focus is on evaluating performances rather than solely on outcomes, emphasizing the team's preparation for the upcoming official matches.
Despite the defeat, Maresca found positives in Chelsea's performance against a strong City side, noting their ability to disrupt City's usual control of possession. He viewed this as a sign of progress and a learning opportunity for his team.
As Chelsea continues their preseason preparations, Maresca remains confident in the team's development and sees mistakes as a natural part of the learning process. He highlighted the need for resilience and adaptability as key factors in the team's growth moving forward.