Enzo Maresca laments players for disobeying instruction after Ipswich draw | OneFootball

Enzo Maresca has criticised his players for not following his game plan after the disappointing 2-2 draw with Ipswich that means Champions League qualification will now be difficult to achieve.

Chelsea went 2-0 down against the Tractor Boys, and managed to salvage a 2-2 draw, but that may not be enough in the race for UCL places.

Maresca was annoyed that the goals came from players playing long, instead of short from goal kicks.

“We lost confidence because we conceded and because of the environment. In this moment you have to continue doing the right things. Don’t change the plan. Because we are a team that most of the time we play short from our goal kick.

“The second goal we decided to play long because of the environment. Then we conceded the second one. So you have to be strong. You have to continue with the things that you are doing. I can understand (why it happened). Because we conceded the (first) goal and they (the players) decided to play long ball.

“But if you go long it doesn’t mean you are going to control something. And the second goal we concede is from that. But we are stronger with our fans, we are a better team. It’s up to them to decide the way (they support). Today at 2-0 down it’s normal to be the way they were.”

The draw now means Chelsea are one point behind Manchester City and three points behind Nottingham Forest.

With games against Fulham, Liverpool, Newcastle, Manchester United and Nottingham Forest still to come, it now looks a very tall order for them to achieve Champions League football next campaign.

A positive spark was the cameo of Jadon Sancho, and the world-class goal he scored to make it 2-2.

Maresca praised him after the game, saying: “He is doing well…. He’s playing almost every game. The idea was to refresh a little bit with him knowing he is going to give us good moments. Goals and assists.”