Chelsea Boss Maresca Slams Critics After 1-0 Victory Over Leicester

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has hit back at critics of his team's performance, saying the players are doing a great job despite a tough win over Leicester.

Enzo Maresca has hit back at critics of Chelsea's performance in their 1-0 win over Leicester, arguing that winning in the Premier League is not as easy as it seems. Maresca's side secured the victory thanks to Marc Cucurella's impressive long-range goal in the second half at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

The win lifted Chelsea to fourth place, but the team's lackluster display against second-bottom Leicester drew criticism from frustrated fans, who booed them off at half-time. Maresca has consistently defended his team's style, which prioritizes possession over quick attacks.

Enzo Maresca launched a spirited defense of his team's approach, saying, “People have to understand this is our way, our style, and this is the way we are going to play. When a team creates the number of chances we created today you have to be happy. It's not easy.”

Maresca also pointed out that Leicester had recently held Arsenal to a 0-0 draw until the 83rd minute, highlighting the difficulty of winning in the Premier League. He emphasized, “If you think football is just PlayStation and you win easy? No way. Every game is difficult. The way the players have done today is fantastic.”

Three points at the Bridge! 😁#CFC | #CHELEI pic.twitter.com/dTikf5I1w4

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) March 9, 2025

Looking ahead to Chelsea's Champions League ambitions, Maresca stressed the importance of fan support. “Our Champions League target will be also with our fans to support us. When we play at home we need them behind the players,” he said.

Cucurella's decisive goal was enough to propel Chelsea two points above Manchester City in the battle for a top-four finish and Champions League qualification. However, Maresca's side did experience some frustration when Cole Palmer's first-half penalty was saved by Mads Hermansen.

England forward Cole Palmer's goal drought continued, having gone eight matches without scoring. Palmer was substituted in the second half, and it was later revealed that he had been struggling with illness. Maresca explained, “Yesterday he didn't train. During the night he didn't feel well, but this morning he woke up and said to me 'I want to be on the pitch because I want to help this club play Champions League.'”

Enzo reacts to our important win. 🎙️#CFC | #CHELEI pic.twitter.com/COcItugK2z

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) March 9, 2025

Maresca praised Palmer's dedication, highlighting the player's willingness to play despite being unwell. “In the last 48 hours, he was very bad with fever and with this bad feeling. But this morning he asked to play, and this shows that the players want to bring this club to where it belongs,” Maresca said.

Leicester's situation appears increasingly dire, with the team having lost 12 of their last 13 league matches and sitting six points adrift of safety. Leicester boss Ruud van Nistelrooy expressed frustration at his team's inability to capitalize on their performance. “I get good at this after games. A good performance on and off the ball, everything was there, and I think the players deserved more,” Van Nistelrooy said.

Van Nistelrooy acknowledged that his team had been unfortunate, particularly with regards to the penalty save that denied them a halftime lead. “We came away with a penalty save to go into halftime at 0-0. It's the kind of luck you need sometimes to turn things around,” he said. Despite the positives, Van Nistelrooy was disappointed that his team had failed to secure any points. “Lots of positives again, but we have to take the blow of taking nothing.”