LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 04: Enzo Maresca, Chelsea’s Manager, reacts during the Premier League match against Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on October 04, 2025. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Chelsea’s head coach, Enzo Maresca, humorously remarked that receiving a red card at the end of his team’s recent 2-1 victory over reigning Premier League champions Liverpool was ‘worth it’. He also discussed the ‘pressure’ he felt when he first took the job at Stamford Bridge.
Maresca was one of the guest speakers at the Festival dello Sport in Trento this weekend, alongside notable figures such as Luciano Spalletti, Roberto Mancini, and Zinedine Zidane.
Maresca: Red Card Against Liverpool ‘Worth It’, Chelsea ‘One of the Biggest Clubs’
The 45-year-old recently celebrated a 2-1 win over Liverpool, although he was sent off in the final two minutes for a second yellow card after Estevao scored a late winner.
Maresca received a caution in the first half and received his second yellow card for leaving the technical area to celebrate in front of the fans.
While speaking at the Festival dello Sport, Maresca shared the excitement he felt after the late winner and made a light-hearted comment about the red card being ‘worth it’.
“It’s an amazing feeling. This is my second season at the club, and we’ve never won a home game in the last minute before,” Maresca stated. “The reaction that led to the sending off was instinctive, but perhaps it was worth it.”
“We are talking about one of the biggest clubs in the world, which has faced struggles in recent years for various reasons.”
“When I first arrived, I felt the weight of being the only Italian coach not to win here in England, but fortunately that’s changed. Helping this club return to its former glory is truly rewarding.”
Maresca also elaborated on his Club World Cup triumph over the summer and the final against ‘favorites’ PSG.
“It was an exceptional match. Everyone deemed PSG the favorites. We triumphed over what I believe was the strongest team in the world at that time. However, my daily motivation isn’t just tied to winning the World Championship, but rather my passion for the game. I don’t start my mornings focused on our accolades.”
“We played seven different matches, constantly trying to adapt and surprise our competitors, and it was successful. Despite several injuries, it all paid off, and I wouldn’t change anything, given the outcome. The trophy is magnificent, even if it’s a little heavy.”
Before the Club World Cup, Chelsea also claimed the Conference League title, making them the only team to have achieved victories in all levels of European competitions: Champions, Europa, and Conference Leagues.
“That was the only competition we could win at the time,” Maresca explained. “I was able to convince my players of its importance, and it resulted in us securing two titles in two months.”