Enzo Maresca on Chelsea’s slow start and why he expected it – it could become a problem | OneFootball

Chelsea won tonight’s Conference League final against Real Betis after a flurry of 4 goals in the second half, but if you’d asked for score predictions after 20 minutes, not many people would have suggested that.

The Spanish side started strong, scored once and almost scored another. As we’ve seen countless times this season, Chelsea started really slowly and sluggishly. It was painful to watch. But some half time words from Enzo Maresca – as well the as the introduction of Reece James and later Levi Colwill, changed the pattern of the game.

Maresca says he expected slow start

Ez Abde fires in Betis’ goal while Malo Gusto watches on. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)

In his presser after the match, Enzo Maresca was asked what he had done to change things around:

“I think I expected a little bit the way we play in the first half. And the reason why is because, as I said two weeks ago, that in football, you cannot give any advantage to any team. I think between us and them, 48 hours has been a big difference. Friday, they had a game where they were playing for nothing, not any target,” the Chelsea boss said, referring to the fact that Betis played earlier than his team over the weekend.

“We played 100 minutes on Sunday, and up to the last seconds, trying to achieve something important. So I expected [the slow start] a little bit. Then I think we adjust something tactically at half-time, but especially we changed something in our attitude. Second half, we were much better, and we are very happy.”

Chelsea need strong 90 minutes, not 45 minutes

It’s become quite the pattern of this team – a slow start, some half time changes, and a much better showing in the second period. In today’s game it was particularly evident – once we got into gear, we just blew Betis away with our strength and speed.

We just wish they could play like this from the start!