Chelsea Boss Maresca Admits Tactical Mistake in Win Over Spurs

Enzo Maresca's Chelsea secured a crucial 1-0 win over Tottenham, with the manager admitting to a tactical mistake and praising his team's ability to 'win ugly'.

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca expressed relief after his team secured a narrow 1-0 win over Tottenham on Thursday. Maresca acknowledged that he made a crucial mistake in the dying moments of the game, which could have potentially cost his team the win.

Maresca revealed that he made defensive changes, thinking the game was almost over, only to realize that a significant amount of stoppage time had been added. He explained, “We created chances enough in the first half, and then, to be honest, it has been my mistake because I did the change before I saw the extra time.” Thankfully for Maresca and Chelsea, the mistake did not prove costly, and they were able to hold on for the win.

A relieved-looking Maresca spoke to reporters after the game, clearly grateful that his team was able to secure the three points despite his late-game mistake. The win was a crucial one for Chelsea, and Maresca will be hoping that his team can build on this momentum in their upcoming fixtures.

Maresca, reflected on the team's strategic decision to make an early substitution in their recent match. When asked about the timing of the change, Maresca said, “When I saw 12 minutes, I saw that probably was too early to make that kind of change. But fortunately, we won the game, and we are happy.”

The substitution involved replacing attacker Cole Palmer and Enzo Fernandez with defender Tosin Adarabioyo and midfield anchor Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, effectively packing the back line. This tactical move allowed Tottenham to push forward in search of an equalizer during the extended stoppage time, which followed two lengthy VAR checks in the second half that ruled out goals for both teams.

Enzo reacts to last night’s victory! 🙌#CFC | #CHETOT pic.twitter.com/jdtEXLnmsY

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) April 4, 2025

Maresca praised his players for their resilience and ability to absorb pressure, ultimately securing the win. He emphasized the importance of learning to win games in different ways, saying, “If you want to become a team, I think you need also to learn and to play in the way we played in the last 10 minutes: win a game in a dirty way.” This victory has given Chelsea renewed momentum in their pursuit of a top-four finish and a spot in next season's Champions League.

Maresca also highlighted the significant impact of Senegal striker Nicolas Jackson's return from injury, citing his relentless pressing of the Tottenham defense as a key factor. Maresca noted, “For sure, with Nico we are a different team.” Jackson's presence has brought a new dynamic to the team, and his contributions will be crucial in Chelsea's quest for a top-four finish.