Enzo Maresca did not hold back when assessing the two goals Chelsea conceded against Ipswich Town on Sunday afternoon.
Despite dominating the first half, Chelsea found themselves 2-0 down against Ipswich, who left their best player on the bench.
Liam Delap, who is attracting interest from Chelsea, started the game as a substitute. But Kieran McKenna’s men were still able to score two goals while he was off the pitch.
And now Maresca has discussed those two goals that his side let in during the first 45 minutes of the match.
Enzo Maresca blames Enzo Fernandez and Robert Sanchez’s long balls for Ipswich goals
While Robert Sanchez has been heavily criticised this season, Enzo Fernandez has been one of Chelsea’s best performers.
However, Maresca did not seem too happy with how they lost the ball for Ipswich’s two goals at Stamford Bridge.
“I think both goals we conceded, both we can defend better, but if you analyse both goals, the first goal is from Enzo, long ball, lose the ball, we concede,” the Chelsea manager told football.london and other outlets after the game. “Second one is goal kick, long ball, we concede.
“Probably we lost a little bit of confidence, because we were in control, we were playing well. The goal we conceded, probably the players lost a little bit of confidence inside the pitch, because it’s a game that you must win, you have to win, so when you see yourself one nil down, probably.
“But in that moment, my message at half-time was just that now is the moment that we need to react, we cannot continue in the way we were in the last 20, 25 minutes of the first half.”
Earlier this month, Fernandez came in for praise from John Obi Mikel, with the former midfielder claiming that the Argentine is the only Chelsea player who shouts at his teammates when they are not doing something right.
Chelsea fans not happy with Enzo Maresca
While Maresca may not have been delighted with Fernandez and Sanchez, there were Chelsea supporters who were not happy with him.
After going 2-0 down, Chelsea fans let Maresca know exactly how they felt, though they would have been much happier after the team managed to fight back and draw 2-2.
But dropping two points at home to Ipswich when you are chasing a Champions League spot is not good enough.
You really cannot blame any Chelsea supporter for being upset with Maresca and his players after that game. The Blues have a west London derby away at Fulham next Sunday so could be in for another tricky fixture as well.
Drop more points at Craven Cottage, and Chelsea could find themselves in serious trouble.
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