Maresca: How can you convince the players to go on the right path if you can t win? You have to win.

Hupu News on November 26: Chelsea head coach Maresca attended the post-match press conference after defeating Barcelona 3-0 in the Champions League.

What do you think such an important victory, especially defeating Barcelona, ​​means to Chelsea?

For me personally, this is a very meaningful victory. The opponent was Barcelona, ​​but that didn't change the nature of our team or what we were able to achieve.

Of course, this victory is important, but that's all. The game is over and now we have to focus on the next game.

The two goals scored by Delap and Esteban are of great significance to them personally and to the team. What did you say to them after the game (because Maresca delayed going to the press conference for almost 30 minutes)?

No, uh, what did I say? What I said to Esteban was that he played very well today.

Liam, he also needs such a moment and such a goal. From my point of view in the game against Burnley, he performed well, but he is the No. 9, a forward, and he always needs a goal.

We have three more? Or two? Three, three goals were disallowed. We created enough chances to win the game.

Why do you think Barcelona can be suppressed like this?

Barcelona is a team that feels very comfortable in possession of the ball. If they lose the ball, they feel uncomfortable, so we try to keep the ball.

Even if it is 11 vs. 11, I feel very good because the team played well.

Defense is always important because you need to maintain a balance between offense and defense. Fortunately over the past month we have started to keep clean sheets in the Premier League. If you want to achieve something important, this is what you have to do.

After defeating Barcelona in this way, especially the knockout of the opponent very convincingly, the players must be buzzing in the locker room. Have you experienced it before?

It feels great, especially celebrating at home with the fans, and it's always great for the team to be able to share moments like this.

I told the players to relax and get some rest over the next 48 hours before we play Arsenal on Sunday. From Friday we start thinking about Arsenal.

How do you think we can make good use of this momentum and advantage to transform it into more future victories?

We need to keep this momentum going, it feels great and like you said, this momentum is what we need. Of course, it's much easier to recover after winning.

Enzo, I know this question sounds a little strange, but did Esteban’s goal remind you of Messi at all? Are he and Yamal a bit Merone?

No, Esteban's goal reminded me of the goal he scored against our goal in the Club World Cup. It was very similar and the movements were very similar.

For him, Esteban needs to relax, enjoy football and train well. He and Lamin, two 18-year-old kids, I'll be honest, if you compare them with Messi and Ronaldo, it's too much pressure for young players like them.

This is too difficult for them. All they have to do is enjoy football, play well and train well, really.

The second question asked by a Catalan reporter, Maresca emphasized that Barcelona must lose the ball. Barcelona has a big problem on the off-ball end.

What impact do you think the defeat of Paris in the Club World Cup final had on Chelsea players facing such a powerful dialogue?

Of course, winning the Club World Cup gave the players great confidence. We were still playing in the UEFA Europa League last year, so I said at that time that the key to developing a winning mentality is to win.

This is the case in any game, winning is the only way. This is the only way to develop a winning mentality. Because if you can't win, then as a head coach, how can you open your mouth and tell the players that we are on the right path? It's very difficult.

So no matter what the competition is, whether it is the league, FA Cup, League Cup or Champions League, winning is the only right way. I think last season's UEFA Europa League and Club World Cup were helpful. The team had more run-in. Compared with last season, the players are in better shape now.

Do you think it is getting harder to protect Esteban? Because he's getting better and better.

To be honest, it's not difficult because if he doesn't play, Pedro Neto can play out wide and Pedro is playing well and we're happy with him, so it depends on the game plan.

Tonight, in what may be the toughest game of the season so far, we decided to start Esteban. It was just the game plan, I made the decision and picked 11 starters.

Of course, this is what you said about us always changing players, and you will say that we are unpredictable.

So it’s Arsenal next and I’m well aware that the game plan doesn’t always work and sometimes it goes wrong. Depending on the starting situation, as long as the game plan suits Esteban, he will play. He will of course play a lot because he is really good.