Enzo Maresca provided a detailed tactical analysis following his team’s home defeat to Fulham, shedding light on areas that needed improvement.
Reflecting on the loss, Maresca emphasized the importance of better control throughout the game, particularly in dealing with Fulham’s rapid transitions.
While his team managed to contain Fulham’s counter-attacks effectively in the first half, the coach admitted there was a noticeable drop in performance during the first 15 to 20 minutes of the second half.
During this period, his side struggled to maintain composure and control, creating opportunities for Fulham to exploit the open spaces.
Maresca acknowledged that this phase of the match significantly influenced the outcome, with his team unable to recover quickly enough.
Drawing on his experience as Pep Guardiola’s assistant, Maresca expressed a desire to instill a more compact, possession-oriented playing style in his team.
He advocated for a system based on shorter, controlled passes, which he argued would help the team remain coordinated and enable smoother transitions.
According to Maresca, this approach not only keeps the team more organized but also makes it easier to recover possession after losing the ball.
He contrasted this with direct, fast-paced attacking strategies involving just one or two passes, which he noted tend to leave the team stretched and vulnerable to counter-attacks.
Maresca highlighted that the defeat underscored the necessity of controlling the game’s tempo.
He criticized the chaotic, end-to-end play that characterized the second half, likening it to a “basketball match,” a style that played to Fulham’s strengths.
To avoid similar situations in the future, he stressed the importance of maintaining compactness and composure, rather than engaging in an open, free-flowing game that leaves his side exposed defensively.
Despite the disappointing result, Maresca pointed out some positives, such as his team’s ability to manage Fulham’s transitions effectively during the first half.
He expressed confidence that these aspects could serve as building blocks for future improvement.
However, he acknowledged the need for better game management to achieve consistency across both halves.
Ultimately, Maresca’s post-match reflections highlighted the importance of adopting a disciplined, methodical approach to both attacking and defending.
Against teams like Fulham, known for their ability to exploit open spaces, he underlined the need for a well-structured game plan.
The defeat, he concluded, should serve as a valuable learning experience to refine his team’s tactics and execution in future matches.