Chelsea Manager Enzo Maresca Slams “Unfair” Scheduling After Premier League Draw vs Brentford

Enzo Maresca insisted that Chelsea’s “Unfair” calendar forced him to abandon the attacker out of shape Cole Palmer for the 0-0 Sunday draw in Brentford. The Maresca team was 24 hours younger than Brentford to prepare for the western London derby after beating Tottenham 1-0 Thursday. The star of England Palmer was finally sent by Maresca after an hour, but he could not break the dead end, raising his best chance on the crossbar in time. Although Palmer has experienced difficulties for a large part of his second season with Chelsea – not having scored in his last 12 games all competitions – Maresca was categorical

“We prepared the match in the way. We played a demanding match on Thursday evening,” said the Italian.

“A delicate match, a sunny day, the field was dry, they tried to kill the tempo, but we did more than like to win the match. The only thing we missed was the goal.

“We played on Thursday evening, so all were not 100%. The idea was to start in a way and finish in another. The plan almost worked. Overall, the change between the first and the second half was not enough to win the match.

“Was planning unfair? I think yes, at this stage of the season. We tried to adapt. Thursday evening was a demanding match.

“We said on several occasions where it is a transition game, it was demanding, compared to today. Yes, 24 hours made a difference.”

Brentford director Thomas Frank agreed that the additional day was important, with his team also assigned by the calendar of elements this season.

Warming in the theme, the Danish then labeled the club World Cup in June and July, in which Chelsea participates, as “ridiculous”.

“It’s just another tournament. Will I watch it? No luck!” He added.

The next step for Chelsea is a quarter -final trip to the UEFA league in Legia Warsaw Thursday, but Maresca’s priority is still qualified for the Champions League.

“Of course, this is very important,” he said. “Our goal is to bring this club where it must be, in the Champions League.

“Since the first day, we have been up there, I hope we can finish there.”

Chelsea currently occupies fourth place in the Premier League, with a finish among the first five will probably be sufficient to ensure football from the Champions League next season.

(With the exception of the title, this story has not been published by NDTV staff and is published from a unionized flow.)