Maresca’s controversial action against Liverpool compared to “Conte, Tuchel, Jose” | OneFootball

Matt Law had a really interesting discussion on the London is Blue podcast last week, talking about Enzo Maresca’s red card at the end of the Liverpool game.

While the Telegraph journalist disagreed with the coach in his constant denials that his players have a discipline problem which is behind their endless serious of yellow and red cards, he did back the coach’s decision to get sent off, almost deliberately, after his team’s late winner.

Chelsea have a card problem – but Maresca is excused

Enzo Maresca gets a booking against Liverpool for arguing with Javi Valero.

“I think Chelsea do have a disciplinary problem. And I don’t believe Enzo Maresca when he says ‘we haven’t’,” Law said.

“But I give Enzo a pass on that one. And I actually think he did the right thing even when he got the red card. Because, again, he needed to show that passion and that connection with the fans, and that was a huge moment. And he was ready to go all game. He was like a jack in the box. He was constantly being told to get back in his technical area.”

Coach’s actions fed fan energy

As Law points out, the energy Maresca showed fed the fans, which created a better atmosphere, which was really what helped his team press for a late goal.

“The entire match, he was straying outside his technical area and the fourth official was getting him back in. Then he gets booked because he wants a penalty. He’s shouting “eff off” at the fourth official, then he’s having a go someone on the Liverpool bench. And that’s getting the crowd up behind him. Part of the atmosphere, he did help the atmosphere, his behaviour. It was very Conte, Tuchel, Jose-esque. He had to celebrate that winner. And I thought that will only do him good with the Chelsea fans.

You can see Law speaking in the clip embedded here: