Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca light-heartedly commented that his red card, received during his team`s recent 2-1 Premier League victory against reigning champions Liverpool, was “worth it.” He also discussed the “pressure” he experienced upon his initial appointment at Stamford Bridge.
Maresca participated as a guest speaker at the Festival dello Sport in Trento this weekend, joining notable figures such as Luciano Spalletti, Roberto Mancini, and Zinedine Zidane.
Maresca: Liverpool Red Card “Worth It,” Chelsea “One of the Biggest in the World”
The 45-year-old coach recently led his team to a 2-1 triumph over Premier League contenders Liverpool. However, he was dismissed with just two minutes remaining after receiving a second yellow card following Estevao`s decisive injury-time goal.
LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 04: Estevao Willian (l) celebrates alongside Reece James after scoring the winning goal during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on October 04, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
Maresca had already received a caution in the first half. His second yellow card, leading to his sending off, occurred when he left his technical area to celebrate with his players and the fans.
During his appearance at the Festival dello Sport, Maresca elaborated on his intense excitement after Chelsea`s late winning goal, jokingly remarking that his dismissal was “worth it.”
“It`s a fantastic sensation,” Maresca stated. “This is my second season here, and we hadn`t secured a last-minute home victory until now. My reaction, which resulted in the red card, was purely instinctive, but perhaps it was justifiable. We`re discussing one of the world`s largest clubs, one that has faced challenges for various reasons in recent years. When I initially joined, I felt the pressure of potentially being the only Italian never to have achieved success here (in Italy), but thankfully, that hasn`t been the case. Guiding this club back to its peak is an incredibly rewarding experience.”
Maresca also discussed in detail his successful Club World Cup campaign during the summer, including the final against what he called “favourites,” PSG.
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – JULY 13: Enzo Maresca, Head Coach of Chelsea FC, lifts the FIFA Club World Cup trophy after his team’s victory following the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Final match between Chelsea FC and Paris Saint-Germain at MetLife Stadium on July 13, 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)
“We played exceptionally well,” he recalled. “It was a typical scenario where everyone considered PSG the favourites. We defeated a team that, in my opinion, was the strongest globally at that time. However, I don`t come to work daily because we won the World Championship; I do it out of passion. I don`t wake up dwelling on the titles we`ve secured. We navigated through seven distinct matches, implementing tactical adjustments and aiming to surprise our adversaries. It proved successful. Despite several injuries, the effort was worthwhile, and I wouldn`t alter anything given the outcome. The trophy is magnificent, even if it`s somewhat heavy.”
Before their Club World Cup success, Chelsea also clinched the Conference League title, making them the sole club to have won all three major European competitions: the Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League.
“It was the only competition available for us to win,” Maresca elaborated. “I convinced my players of its immense importance, and as a result, we claimed two trophies within two months.”
