"We Tried Something New" – Maresca Explains Bold Chelsea Gamble After 3-1 Loss to Flamengo
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca admits tactical experiment backfired as Flamengo fight back to win 3-1, leaving Blues’ Club World Cup hopes hanging by a thread.
Jackson’s red card and rapid Flamengo comeback leave Blues’ Club World Cup hopes hanging
Enzo Maresca has admitted he tried “something new” during Chelsea’s shock 3-1 defeat to Flamengo — but refused to say if the plan backfired as his side’s hopes of progressing in the Club World Cup took a major hit.
The Blues were favourites heading into the Group D clash in Philadelphia and took the lead through Pedro Neto in the first half. But things quickly fell apart after the break as Flamengo scored two quick goals within three minutes to turn the game around.
Just one minute later, substitute Nicolas Jackson added to Chelsea’s misery when he was shown a straight red card for a reckless challenge — only four minutes after coming on. The Senegalese striker has now been sent off twice in just over a month, following his red card in the Premier League defeat to Newcastle in May.
“Unfortunately, we conceded two goals in a very short period — a very short moment — and then the red card,” Maresca told reporters after the match. “Then it’s very complicated to come back into the game. We tried, but congratulations to them.”
The head coach admitted he had made some tactical changes, hinting at new ideas being tested ahead of the new Premier League season.
“I think we tried to do something different during the game, also for next season,” he said. “But congratulations to them. Now we have one more game, and we are going to try to win the next one.”
Pressed on whether his experiment had failed, Maresca remained calm: “No, I’m not saying this. I’m saying that we tried something new.”
When asked if he had spoken to Jackson about the red card, the Italian replied bluntly: “No, to be honest. It was a red card, so there is nothing to say.”
Chelsea’s loss now puts them under pressure in the Club World Cup group stage, with their hopes of making the knockout round depending on the result of their final game.
Flamengo, known for their intensity and attacking power, exposed cracks in Maresca’s early system as the Blues struggled to cope with the Brazilian side’s pace in the second half.
Now Maresca will have to rally his players quickly. With one group-stage match remaining, Chelsea must win to stay alive in the competition and avoid an early exit from FIFA’s revamped global tournament.
