As Chelsea prepare for one of their biggest European nights of the season, Enzo Maresca has taken a noticeably respectful tone when speaking about Hansi Flick’s Barcelona.
The Champions League clash has captured wide attention, and while Chelsea arrive in good form after back-to-back Premier League wins against Wolverhampton (3-0) and Burnley (0-2), Maresca made it clear that beating Barcelona will require a level of precision and discipline his side cannot afford to compromise on.
Setting the tone for the week ahead, Maresca explained the scale of the challenge, saying,
“It’s a big week, but at the end of this week, we have another big week. Every game is important. Of course, Barcelona and Arsenal are important for different reasons, and we are ready.”
He then openly praised Flick’s impact on the Catalan side, adding context to the looming tactical battle by stating that “Flick’s Barça looks spectacular to me.”
Discussing Barcelona in detail
Maresca did not stop there. When discussing Barcelona’s footballing evolution and their consistency at the elite level, he noted how studying their approach has influenced his own coaching journey.
“Every time I watch them, I learn something. Last year, they won La Liga and reached the Champions League semifinals.
“They do a lot of things well, and they’re a team that always wants to take the initiative. We’ll try to do the same.”
He went on to express his disappointment at not being able to face one of Barcelona’s finest midfielders, admitting that Pedri’s absence is a loss for football as a whole, “not only a loss for Barcelona, but also for football because he has impressive quality.”
Reflecting on his own managerial philosophy, Maresca also emphasised the deep influence Barça have had on him personally.
Enzo Maresca has nothing but praise for Barcelona. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Offering a glimpse into his inspiration, he revealed, “I decided to become a coach because of Guardiola’s Barça”, before further elaborating on how Pep Guardiola’s football changed the modern game.
With admiration, he stated, “No one can compare to Pep’s Barcelona. They changed football in Spain, with all teams trying to play like that.
“Pep went to Germany, and the national team won. He came to England, and some teams also wanted to play like him, and the national team also grew. No one can compare.”
The Barcelona connection
The Chelsea manager also took time to speak about individuals with Barcelona connections.
One of the standout topics was Estevao, the Brazilian winger once followed closely by Barcelona before moving to Chelsea.
Offering his assessment, Maresca explained that the young forward “is playing at a high level” and expressed optimism about his development within the squad.
Maresca then shifted focus to Marc Guiu, another player with Barça roots who chose Chelsea to seek greater opportunities.
Providing an update on the striker’s progress, he shared: “Marc is developing very well. He came last season and played almost the entire Conference League, scoring six or seven goals.
“This season has been a bit strange, because he went out on loan and came back. We’re very happy with him, but he has to work hard to be ready when the opportunity arises.”
He closed his thoughts by turning attention to Barcelona’s attack, warning his side that it “is a factor to be taken into account and we need to have a good balance between defence and attack” if Chelsea are to prevail.
Source: Mundo Deportivo