“A shame” – Maresca doesn’t apologise for controversial incident in Liverpool win | OneFootball

Enzo Maresca has finally spoken publicly after getting a red card on Saturday night.

No sooner had Estevao Willian slid in at the far post to tuck the ball away and hand Chelsea a 2-1 win over Liverpool than Maresca was haring off down the touchline to celebrate at the corner flag with the Brazilian and his teammates.

Maresca responds after red

Enzo Maresca dressed badly on the touchline. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

But having already been booked for some arguing with the Liverpool bench, this meant a second yellow and a red card. We don’t think he was aware of that in the moment – but even if he had been, we’re pretty sure he would have done exactly the same thing regardless.

Of course, a manager who is sent off doesn’t do the post match press conference (which always seem more like a reward than a punishment to us). That means we haven’t heard from him since the game. He finally has put out a response now that tells us a little about how he’s feeling.

“Winning at the last moment was a beautiful joy for all of us,” Maresca wrote on his social media channels.

“It was a shame not to be present at the final whistle to celebrate with our wonderful fans. Now recovery focus and energy in what we can do better.”

No apology – and nobody will mind

So it’s not an apology for the red – and quite right too. It’s frustrating for him as he’s trying to preach discipline to his players after they themselves picked up 3 reds in 4 games. This undermines that.

But in reality this was a very excusable and understandable red – and most fans would say it’s ridiculous that a manager gets a booking here anyway. This was a glorious moment and he lost control for a second – nobody is going to begrudge him that.