Maresca Highlights Chelsea’s Achievement After Atlético Madrid’s Elimination
Enzo Maresca believes that Atletico Madrid’s early elimination from the Club World Cup should be a source of pride for Chelsea, who managed to advance to the round of 16. The “Blues” are preparing to face Benfica in Charlotte this Saturday, after defeating Esperance de Tunis with a score of 3-0. The goals were scored by Tosin Adarabioyo, Liam Delap and Tyrique George, thus securing second place in Group D. Atlético de Madrid was eliminated from a complicated group, which included Paris Saint-Germain and Botafogo. Maresca commented on the matter:Delap had a standout performance in the hot conditions of Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field, scoring his first goal since joining Chelsea, coming from Ipswich Town for £30 million earlier this month. Maresca explained:“It’s important for us because out of 32 clubs in the tournament, there are now 16 left. There are clubs that have played Champions League finals in the last five or six years, like Atlético de Madrid, and they are already in Spain. Therefore, we must be proud and happy. And now, of the best 16, the goal is to reach the top eight”.
Enzo Maresca
Maresca also referred to the adaptation of other players:“We expect the process with Liam to be quite fast, and the reason is that we know him and he knows us in the way we want to play”.
Enzo Maresca
Maresca ruled out making changes to his squad, as the competition rules allow for the addition of up to two players before the round of 16. Wesley Fofana has been training with the group as he looks to recover from a hamstring surgery performed in April, but Maresca added:“For Dário Essugo, for Mamadou Sarr or even for Andrey Santos, who was only in the last preseason, it will be a little more complicated because they don’t know exactly the way we want to play. But Liam, as I said, we know each other very well, so the process is quite fast, and also because he is a very good player”.
Enzo Maresca
“Wes is here because he is trying to be with us, to recover with us, but there is no chance that he can be included in the team. At the moment, there are no plans to bring in other players”.
Enzo Maresca
