Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea Tenure Begins with Defeat Against Manchester City
Enzo Maresca’s first competitive match as Chelsea’s head coach ended in disappointment, as his side fell to a 2-0 defeat against Manchester City at Stamford Bridge.
Former Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic sealed the victory for the visitors with a late goal, capping off a challenging afternoon for the Blues.
Despite the result, there were some positives for Chelsea, particularly the performance of Romeo Lavia in midfield.
Lavia, who took on the responsibility of driving the team forward and picking up the ball in difficult areas, was a standout for the hosts before being substituted in the second half.
Chelsea supporters quickly took to social media to praise the Belgian for his efforts, even in defeat.
However, there was a moment of frustration early in the second half when Lavia expressed his displeasure with goalkeeper Robert Sanchez.
Sanchez’s risky pass out from the back put Chelsea under unnecessary pressure, giving Manchester City a clear opportunity to score.
The ball eventually went out of play, but not before Lavia angrily gestured at Sanchez, making it clear that he was unhappy with the decision just two minutes into the half.
Sanchez, who joined Chelsea for £25 million, is under pressure to impress early in the season, especially with the club having signed Filip Jorgensen to strengthen their goalkeeping options.
Despite this, Maresca opted to start Sanchez, who already has experience in West London, but his performance has yet to win over all fans.
Meanwhile, the absence of Djordje Petrovic, who has been linked with a move away from Chelsea, was notable. Reports suggest that Petrovic is not in Maresca’s plans for the future.
As for Lavia, his display against Manchester City showed that he should be a key figure in Maresca’s midfield moving forward.
His ability to handle pressure and drive the team forward makes him an essential player for Chelsea as they look to bounce back from this early setback.
Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea Tenure Begins with Defeat Against Manchester City
