Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has offered insight into why his team suffered a surprising 2-1 defeat to Swiss club Servette in the second leg of their UEFA Conference League play-off.
Despite a 2-0 victory over Servette in the first leg at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea’s loss in Switzerland led to a tense 3-2 aggregate result, securing their place in the group stage but drawing criticism from fans and pundits alike.
Maresca attributed the defeat to missed opportunities and a shift in momentum following Servette’s first goal. He noted that Chelsea had several chances to extend their lead early in the match but failed to capitalize on them.
“The first half an hour was comfortable, and we had three or four chances to make it 2-0,” Maresca said. “Then we concede the goal and it’s normal to suffer a little bit. I was very worried about this game.”
He acknowledged the high stakes for Servette, recognizing that it was likely their most significant match of the season. Maresca expressed his concern about the game’s turning point and the added pressure on his team after the goal.