Following Chelsea's dramatic 2-2 draw against Brentford on Saturday, September 13, 2025, Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca dismissed any suggestions that his team's performance was affected by an impending Champions League fixture against Bayern Munich. The match, held at the Gtech Community Stadium, saw Brentford equalize in stoppage time, denying Chelsea a victory they seemed to have within their grasp.
The game unfolded with Brentford taking the lead in the first half through Kevin Schade. Chelsea, however, responded strongly in the second half, with substitute Cole Palmer leveling the score. Later, a stunning strike from Moises Caicedo appeared to have sealed the win for the Blues. But, Fabio Carvalho's late equalizer ensured a share of the points.
Maresca made four substitutions between the 45th and 56th minutes, a move that significantly changed the game's dynamic. When questioned about whether the upcoming Bayern Munich game influenced his decisions, Maresca insisted that his focus was solely on the Brentford match. He stated that if he had been considering Bayern Munich, he would have made different decisions regarding player selection. Specifically, he mentioned that Joao Pedro had indicated he wasn't 100% fit before the game, and if the Bayern match was a priority, Pedro would have been on the bench.
Maresca emphasized the importance of performing well in the Premier League to secure Champions League qualification for the next season. He acknowledged Chelsea's first-half struggles, noting Brentford's organized defense. However, he felt Chelsea were much improved in the second half and deserved to win, expressing his disappointment at conceding a late goal.
Cole Palmer's return from injury was a significant boost for Chelsea. Maresca highlighted Palmer's positive impact on the game, acknowledging that the team is "much, much better" with him in the team. He mentioned that Palmer was not fit enough to start the game, a decision made in consultation with the medical staff and the player.
Maresca also pointed out the need to manage game situations better, particularly after scoring late in the game. He felt the team needed to control possession more effectively in the additional six minutes to see out the victory. He lamented that his team conceded from transition and set pieces.
