Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has outlined the tactical blueprint that guided his team to a commanding 3–0 Champions League victory over Barcelona on Tuesday night. The Blues delivered one of their most controlled performances of the season at Stamford Bridge, responding emphatically after being held to a frustrating draw by Qarabag in their previous European outing.
Chelsea went ahead in the first half when Jules Kounde inadvertently diverted the ball into his own net, handing the Premier League side early momentum. Barcelona’s challenge became even steeper moments later, as defender Ronald Araujo received a red card, reducing the visitors to 10 men.
Capitalising on their numerical advantage, Chelsea tightened their grip on the match. Second-half goals from Willian Estevao and Liam Delap sealed a deserved win, further boosting the club’s confidence heading into a crucial period of their season.
After the final whistle, Maresca explained that the key objective was to deprive Barcelona of possession—an approach he felt would unsettle the LaLiga champions.
“Barcelona are a team that feel comfortable when they have the ball,” Maresca said.
“If they don’t have the ball, they don’t feel comfortable so we tried to keep the ball.
“Even 11v11, my feeling was very good because the team was playing well.”
The victory serves as a timely boost for Chelsea as they prepare for upcoming domestic and European fixtures. The dominant result and Maresca’s clear tactical identity are expected to play a significant role in shaping Chelsea’s momentum in both the Champions League and the Premier League title race.
About the Author
