Enzo Maresca and Ange Postecoglou
Enzo Maresca and Ange Postecoglou (Image: Plumb Images/Leicester City)
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has defended Ange Postecoglou's strict adherence to his principles at Tottenham, but admitted he will attempt to exploit the weaknesses in his side.
The Blues meet Spurs on Sunday for Maresca's first derby against the Lilywhites, with the sides in contrasting form. Chelsea sit second in the Premier League while their rivals lie 10th, eight points behind, after drawing with Fulham and falling to defeat against Bournemouth.
Postecoglou saw fiery criticism from the stands following the latter, with frustration mounting over the team's inconsitency having also recently comprehensively defeat Manchester City. The Aussie manager has seen his unrelenting style of play condemned when Spurs have endured difficult results since his arrival in the summer of 2023.
Last season Chelsea came away 4-1 victors at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium when Spurs maintained their high line despite seeing two men sent off. Maresca empathised with Postecoglou's approach.
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"When you believe in something, you struggle to change, when you are convinced that way is the right way," he said. "You struggle to change your ideas. I was not here. It was 1-4. Tottenham with nine players so it was very difficult. But it was a good day for the fans."
Maresca believes than it can be beneficial to cement principles into a team however, but flexibility for each opponent is requite. "You can change the structure but you maintain the same principles," Maresca added.
"We usually change our structure or game plan depending on the opponent. The Brighton game, it was one way, and against Aston Villa, completely different. You cannot use the same plan for both games. Brighton were high-pressing and they leave a lot of space in behind. Villa, they were low block, just waiting, so if you do the same plan for both games, probably one of them is not the right one."
Enzo Maresca has Chelsea sitting second ( Image: Getty Images)
Chelsea's Italian coach believes his adversary is doing well in north London despite the side's current position. "I think he is doing well. They are playing in European competition so that means last year they finished well. Then there are some moments where you get more results or less but overall I think he is doing well."
Maresca will be well-versed in Spurs' performances. Postivie and negative results have been scrutinised ahead of Sunday's game.
"We pay attention to both games," he said. "We see the reason why they were good against City, we see the reason why the lost last night."
"We try always to exploit, no matter on the other team or the defenders they have there," Maresca added when asked about Spurs' defensive injury problems. "I think [Cristian] Romero can be back, so probably Romero can be the solution for them in this moment but we will see."
The Italian coach could not help but offer a flicker of a smile when asked if the Blues had seen areas to take advantage of against the Blues' fiercest rivals but gave nothing away. "They are a very good team, It will be a tough, tough game," he said.
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