(Video): “I’m proud of…” Enzo Maresca picks one part of Chelsea’s game for praise | OneFootball

Enzo Maresca spoke to Chelsea TV at full time of the Blues’ 2-0 yesterday and had some really interesting thoughts on how things had gone:

“In the first 20 minutes the team was good. And then we conceded the goal and unfortunately in this moment for the players it’s not easy when they concede the goal because these are must win games. So the pressure is more and more. So we struggled a little bit in the last part of the first half, then in the second half I think the team was once again very very good,” Maresca said.

They certainly improved, although let’s not forget they were probably one speculative Tyrique George shot away from defeat.

Maresca picks out Chelsea’s physicality in the face of tough opposition for praise

Marc Cucurella gets stuck into a duel. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Asked specifically about what he had been happy about, the gaffer settled on the way that his team had competed in a really physical game. He noted their pressing and the way they had dealt with Fulham’s physical style had impressed him:

“I’ve been proud since day one, because I know how hard it is for the players. I’m proud for how they try to do things on the ball and off the ball. Even today, the way we were off the ball – aggressive, accepting man to man with them, with some physical players, so as I said I’m proud since day one.”

The pressing has been pretty ropey at times this season, and while we accept that this is part of the process of a new manager coming in with a new system, we really would have expected it to be looking a little more coordinated by this point.

Hopefully yesterday is a sign of better things to come.