Alejandro Garnacho will be looking for his second goal in the Champions League this season when Chelsea face Atalanta on Tuesday night.
The winger scored the all-important equaliser in Chelsea‘s 2-2 draw with Qarabag last month, his second goal for the club since arriving from Manchester United.
Garnacho almost netted in last weekend’s game against Bournemouth, so he is getting into the right positions.
Chelsea’s Champions League record in Italy (away group/league stage away games)
The Blues have won two games, drawn two and lost three 🇮🇹
However, scoring will not be his only focus when Chelsea travel to the New Balance Arena.
Enzo Maresca tells Alejandro Garnacho he has to defend at Chelsea
Garnacho is also going to have to concentrate on defending and helping his full-back if he does feature against Raffaele Palladino’s side.
Speaking in a press conference ahead of the game, which has been shared by Chelsea’s official club website, the 21-year-old revealed that he has had conversations with Enzo Maresca about the importance of doing the defensive work.
“Today, in modern football, defending is an important part of the game because now every team you face is strong and you have to defend with everyone,” he said.
“I know I have to defend if I want to play, the manager told me it was like this. So I just try to do the work he asks. With the ball, he told me to just go with it, and if I lose it recover it. So I have to help the team defensively also, but that is just a part of football now.”
Atalanta manager Raffaele Palladino on Chelsea
“First of all, it’s a prestigious match, a great occasion for the city, for the club, the players and all of us. We can’t wait to step onto the pitch and face such a strong team. Chelsea won the Club World Cup this summer; they’re packed with quality, strong individuals, top-class players. We want to measure ourselves against teams like this.”
Raffaele Palladino speaking to Atalanta’s official club website
In the build-up to the match, Maresca has spoken about Garnacho specifically, telling reporters that the Argentina international is doing well but can do more.
The Chelsea manager also has Jamie Gittens for the left-wing position. However, he has preferred using Garnacho in that role, so it would not be a surprise to see him start at the New Balance Arena.
Alejandro Garnacho’s defensive numbers
According to FBref, Garnacho makes 0.90 tackles, 0.38 interceptions and 0.76 blocks per 90 minutes.
Being a winger, you do not expect the former Manchester United star to have very high numbers in those areas. That being said, looking at the percentiles he is in, the above numbers are low even for an attacker.
Garnacho is still very young, though, and is working under a brilliant coach. Both sides of his game, the offensive and defensive aspects, should improve the longer he works with Maresca and as he matures.
Gittens should also keep Garnacho on his toes as the two battle it out for the spot on the left flank.
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