Enzo Maresca appeared to blame Chelsea's fans following his side's 2-2 draw with Ipswich Town as they faltered in the Champions League race.
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
Chelsea draw 2-2 with IpswichFalter in Champions League raceMaresca appears to blame own fansFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Chelsea came from 2-0 down to claim a point at Stamford Bridge on Sunday against relegation-threatened Ipswich but head coach Maresca said the "environment" was not quite right and that his team needed more support to get the win.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportWHAT ENZO MARESCA SAID
He said after the game: "We lost a little bit of confidence because we conceded, probably because of the environment. This is the moment that you have to continue doing the right things and don't change plans. Also because we are a team that most of the time our goal kicks we start from playing short, the second goal we decide to play long because of the environment and we concede the second one. So you have to be strong, you have to continue with the things that you are doing. In terms of fans, I said many times, we are stronger with our fans. We are a better team and it's up to them to decide the way to be. Today (Sunday) probably, with the 0-1, 0-2, it's normal to be in the way they were. In the moment that we are in, a difficult moment, you can expect that they are not happy. But in the same moment, it is the moment that we need more support."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
While Chelsea closed to within three points of third-placed Nottingham Forest this weekend, Newcastle United and Manchester City leapfrogged the Blues in the Premier League table, and Aston Villa drew level with Maresca's sixth-placed side. Comments like these from the Italian may suggest all is not entirely well with the west London outfit as they try and qualify for next season's Champions League.
Getty/GOALWHAT NEXT?
Chelsea are back in Europa Conference League action on Thursday when they host Legia Warsaw after winning the first leg of this quarter-final tie 3-0 in Poland.
