Chelsea Boss Enzo Maresca Criticizes Travel Conditions for Kazakhstan Trip
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has expressed frustration over the demanding travel conditions his team will face for their upcoming Conference League match against Astana in Kazakhstan. The Blues will embark on a grueling 16-hour round trip, which includes an eight-hour flight each way to Almaty in southern Kazakhstan. This lengthy journey is due to renovations at their usual home stadium in the capital city, meaning the team will have to play in a different location 600 miles away. Maresca highlighted the unusual circumstances, stating, "It’s not normal to play after such a long trip, but we have to go there and do our best, considering the next game against Brentford."
The match against Astana will see Chelsea playing in harsh conditions with temperatures expected to drop to as low as -11°C. The team will stay on Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) to cope with the five-hour time difference, while also navigating a non-direct flight route to avoid conflict zones such as Ukraine and Russia. This logistical nightmare means Maresca has had to rest several key players for the trip, including England winger Noni Madueke and Portugal’s Pedro Neto, who will be suspended for the upcoming Premier League game. The decision reflects the need to manage player fatigue and injuries amidst such challenging travel conditions.
Despite the setback, Maresca remains focused on maintaining Chelsea’s top spot in the Conference League table with four wins from four matches. The manager is optimistic about his team’s performance in Kazakhstan but acknowledged the physical and mental toll of the journey. Maresca noted, “The players understand the challenge, and we are doing everything we can to be ready. We’ll have to be mentally tough, handle the travel fatigue, and adapt quickly to the conditions.” The Premier League’s decision to allow a later kick-off time on Sunday against Brentford demonstrates their awareness of the logistical challenges faced by Chelsea, but Maresca’s concerns underscore the strain on players when competing under such difficult circumstances.
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