Chelsea's recent 2-1 loss to Legia Warsaw at Stamford Bridge was a stark contrast to their dominant 3-0 victory in the first leg. Despite advancing to the semifinals with a 4-2 aggregate win, the team's performance was lacklustre, and they were booed by fans.
A Step Back
Chelsea's captain acknowledged that the team performed poorly, saying, "We advanced in the competition, but the team performed poorly." The 3-0 lead from the first leg might have caused complacency, leading to a lack of intensity and focus in the second leg. The captain added, "Our foot off the gas may have been influenced by that, but there are no excuses."
Disrespect for Opponents
Enzo Maresca believes that Chelsea might have disrespected their opponents, rather than the competition itself. He stated, "We have respected the competition throughout the season, probably not the other team." This lack of respect might have led to a lack of preparation and a poor performance.
Goal Drought
Chelsea's attacking players are struggling to find the net. Cole Palmer has gone 15 matches without a goal, while Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku have failed to score in 12 and 8 games, respectively. Marc Cucurella, Chelsea's left-back, has surprisingly become a top scorer with six goals since December 15. Maresca acknowledged that the team are missing easy goals and hopes his key players can break their drought soon.
Mental Impact
The disappointing performance might have a mental impact on the team. The captain said, "The mindset will be affected by it. People will keep it in the back of their minds." Fans were frustrated with the team's performance, and Maresca understands their frustration.
Conclusion
Chelsea's advancement to the semifinals is a positive outcome, but the team's performance was far from impressive. They will need to regroup and refocus to succeed in the competition. Maresca's comments suggest that the team might have taken their opponents lightly, which led to a poor performance. The goal drought is also a concern that needs to be addressed. With the semifinals approaching, Chelsea will need to find their form and intensity to succeed.
blogpay
Conclusion
Total Comments: 0