Enzo Maresca will be able to reflect on a very positive debut season in Chelsea’s dugout.
On Wednesday night, Blues head coach Enzo Maresca watched his Chelsea side beat Real Betis by a 4-1 scoreline in the Conference League final.
The Italian boss guided Chelsea to fourth spot in the Premier League and Champions League qualification. Now, he’s followed that up with a European trophy after dismantling Betis in Wroclaw, Poland.
Maresca celebrated with the Chelsea fans after the full-time whistle, and he deserves major credit for a successful first year at the club.
Matches Wins Draws Losses Trophies
57 35 9 13 1
Enzo Maresca’s record at Chelsea
Photo by Aitor Alcalde - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
Photo by Aitor Alcalde – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
Enzo Maresca loved the celebrations from Malo Gusto and Benoit Badiashile
Chelsea’s manager decided to shine the spotlight on Malo Gusto and Benoit Badiashile after the Conference League final. Even though they were both substituted off during the Betis win, Maresca noticed both joining in with crazy celebrations when the Blues scored two quick goals to turn the final on its head.
Maresca said in his post-match press conference via Football.London: “And then the best picture for me for tonight that made me understand that we were in the right direction is when we scored the first two guys to celebrate was Malo Gusto and Benoit Badiashile. The two that we changed.
“And this, probably sometimes we judge games, but this for me, for a manager, when you change players that they are not playing good and they are the first that they enjoy the celebration, that means a lot. That means that the spirit is good, we’re going in the right direction, everyone is helping each other, and this is a good base to build something important.”
Photo by Grzegorz Wajda/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
Photo by Grzegorz Wajda/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
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Gusto, 22, had a really poor opening 45 minutes at right-back, so it was no great surprise to see him replaced at half time. As for centre-half Badiashile, he played just over an hour before making way.
Minutes played Accurate passes Tackles won Dribbled past Duels won Duels lost Error led to goal Match rating
45 29/37 (78%) 0/1 (0%) 1 2 3 1 5.4
Chelsea’s Malo Gusto vs Real Betis via FOTMOB
Minutes played Accurate passes Tackles won Dribbled past Duels won Duels lost Error led to goal Match rating
61 81/84 (96%) 0/2 (0%) 0 3 0 0 7.1
Chelsea’s Benoit Badiashile vs Real Betis via FOTMOB
It would have been easy for Chelsea’s players, particularly Gusto, to be fed up on the bench after being replaced. However, we agree with Maresca that the squad’s celebrations highlight a real unity within the group.
It will be interesting to see how many of this season’s squad stick together going into next year.
Badiashile admitted uncertainty with his future because he doesn’t know if he will stay with Chelsea beyond the summer. While we think the 24-year-old defender is a great squad option, we can understand if he has a desire to go and play regularly elsewhere.
As for Gusto, the 22-year-old full-back has a big job on his hands to get above teammate Reece James in the pecking order. Gusto has been called up to France’s squad for only the second time, but he definitely needs to increase his levels after an up and down season at Stamford Bridge.
Photo by Grzegorz Wajda/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
Photo by Grzegorz Wajda/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
Pat Nevin questioned Malo Gusto decision vs Real Betis
Even though Chelsea ran away with the final in the second half, they found themselves trailing 1-0 at the interval after a poor opening 45 minutes.
Without a doubt, Gusto had one of his most difficult games for the Blues before being substituted off. The French right-back was asked to invert into midfield when Chelsea had possession. Unfortunately, he didn’t look comfortable in the centre of the park, and he gave away the ball for Betis’ opening goal.
According to Pat Nevin, Chelsea boss Maresca made a mistake with Gusto’s positioning in the final.
Nevin said on BBC Radio 5 Live (8:59pm, 28 May): “Chelsea are asking Malo Gusto to sit in centre midfield, but he’s not a centre midfield player – he’s a right-back. Why are you not putting Marc Cucurella in there?”
When Chelsea captain Reece James replaced Gusto at the start of the second half, it made a huge difference and tipped the momentum back in their favour.