Enzo Maresca has admitted that Chelsea “needs to improve many things off the ball” following their heavy 4-1 defeat to Celtic on Saturday night in their preseason encounter.
The match, held at Notre Dame Stadium in Indiana, saw the Scottish champions dominate, with first-half goals from Matt O’Reilly and Kyogo Furuhashi setting the tone for Brendan Rodgers’ team.
In the second half, Celtic extended their lead with goals from Luis Palma and Mikey Johnston, making it a comprehensive victory. Chelsea managed to score a late consolation goal from the penalty spot through Christopher Nkunku, but it was not enough to alter the outcome significantly.
This match marked Chelsea’s first loss of the preseason, following a 2-2 draw with Wrexham earlier in the week. The defeat highlighted several areas where Chelsea needs to improve, particularly in terms of their performance off the ball. Maresca also pointed out that the team appeared “disoriented” when it came to possession and movement.
“The outcome is crucial, as we have stated,” Maresca remarked following Chelsea’s loss. “For us, a general analysis of the game is necessary. The team was, in my opinion, ten times more effective on the ball than they were against Wrexham, and that is significant because it shows how many chances we had in both the first and second halves.”
Maresca’s comments reflect a broader concern about Chelsea’s current form and their ability to compete effectively. The team’s defensive frailties were exposed by Celtic, and their inability to control the game off the ball was evident. This suggests that Chelsea has a lot of work to do before the start of the new season if they are to challenge for titles.
Improving off-the-ball movement and defensive organization will be key areas of focus for Maresca and his coaching staff. The team needs to work on their positioning, pressing, and overall defensive discipline to avoid conceding easy goals.
Additionally, improving their coordination and communication on the pitch will be essential to ensure they can maintain possession and create more effective attacking opportunities.
The preseason is a time for teams to experiment with tactics and lineups, but it is also a critical period for addressing weaknesses and building cohesion.
Chelsea’s performance against Celtic showed that they have the potential to be effective with the ball, creating numerous chances in both halves. However, their defensive lapses and lack of coordination off the ball were glaring issues that need to be addressed.
As the team continues their preseason preparations, Maresca and his staff will need to focus on drilling these aspects of the game. The players will need to buy into the tactical adjustments and work hard on the training ground to improve their understanding and execution of these concepts.
