Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has downplayed his team's dominant 3-0 Champions League victory over Barcelona, insisting that "nothing has changed" despite the resounding result. The Blues delivered a captivating performance at Stamford Bridge, dismantling the Spanish champions with a display of attacking prowess and relentless energy.
An own goal by Jules Kounde set Chelsea on their way, before Estevao Willian scored a stunning solo goal to double the lead. Liam Delap then added a third, his first Champions League goal, to seal a memorable victory. Barcelona's woes were compounded by a red card for Ronald Araujo late in the first half.
Despite the comprehensive nature of the win, Maresca remained level-headed in his post-match assessment. "It is a good win," Maresca said. "To be honest, it was no more than that". He acknowledged the significance of beating Barcelona but emphasized the importance of maintaining perspective. "When you beat Barcelona, it is always nice so we are happy today," he added.
Maresca highlighted the balanced performance of his team, both offensively and defensively. "Barcelona are a team that feel comfortable when they have the ball. If they don't have the ball, they don't feel comfortable so we tried to keep the ball," he explained. He also praised his team's defensive solidity, noting their recent clean sheets in the Premier League. "The defensive part is always important because you need balance. Fortunately, in the last month, we have started finishing games with clean sheets in the Premier League. It's something you need to do if you want to achieve important things," Maresca stated.
The Chelsea manager also stressed the need for his players to "completely switch off" and recover ahead of their upcoming Premier League clash against Arsenal. "I've told the players, next 48 hours, completely switch off," he said. "Have a rest. Recover the energy. Because next Sunday we have Arsenal".
Barcelona's manager, Hansi Flick, acknowledged the impact of the red card on his team's performance. "We started the game well. We had the chance to score the first goal and then everything changed after the red card," Flick said. He also noted Chelsea's dynamism and aggression in one-on-one situations.
Chelsea's victory has put them in a strong position to qualify for the Champions League knockout stages. The win also marked Chelsea's biggest Champions League victory since they beat Manchester City in the 2020/21 final. Estevao's goal was particularly noteworthy, making him only the third teenager in Champions League history to score in each of his first three starts, joining Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland.
Despite the euphoria surrounding the win, Maresca is keen to keep his team focused on the challenges ahead, starting with the crucial match against Arsenal. He recognizes the importance of maintaining momentum and building on their recent performances.
