Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca defended the increasing role of set-pieces in Premier League tactics, asserting they are integral to football as his team prepares for a crucial match against Tottenham.
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has voiced his support for the increasing reliance on set-pieces within the Premier League, arguing it is a legitimate element of the game ahead of their upcoming match against Tottenham Hotspur.
The Italian manager, whose Chelsea side favors a positional style focused on building attacks from the back, has seen his team drop points this season against opponents utilizing long throw-ins to decisive effect. Despite this, Maresca remains unconcerned about rival teams exploiting dead-ball situations.
In comments reported by Yahoo Sport, Maresca stated: “Set-pieces are part of the game. You need to learn how you can do better offensively and defensively.”
He pushed back against the idea of separating set-pieces from open play, reasoning that corners and free-kicks are ultimately created through offensive actions.
“If you score from a corner, how do you get the corner? From open play. It’s not a divide – open play, offensive, defensive. It’s football. Set-pieces are part of football.”
Maresca confirmed he is not adopting the long throw-in tactic himself, but he supports managers using their strengths: “I don’t know why people don’t like (set-pieces).
Everyone tries to use their own threat. If there are teams that think with long thrown-ins they can create more chances, why not? Everyone tries to use different weapons.”
Following a disappointing league loss to Sunderland and a patchy Carabao Cup win against Wolves, Maresca confirmed his side began preparing for Spurs immediately after their midweek game, emphasizing the need for continuous focus.