Something I want to appreciate Maresca for is his tactical aggressiveness. Chelsea committed to attack aggressively. The set up apart from the 3-1-6 included a very aggressive rest defense.
The 3-1 base would step up to suffocate Fluminense to pin them deep and have a compact counter-press structure ready once there was a turnover.
Furthermore, the ball-sided wide center-back (Chalobah/Cucurella) had the license to push forward and support the winger and attacking midfielder. Caicedo also pushed up to offer a passing angle.
The 3-1 base would step up to suffocate Fluminense to pin them deep and have a compact counter-press structure ready once there was a turnover.
Furthermore, the ball-sided wide center-back (Chalobah/Cucurella) had the license to push forward and support the winger and attacking midfielder. Caicedo also pushed up to offer a passing angle.
I wanted to point this out because although Maresca gets categorized as a coach who wants control, which is true, it shouldn't be misunderstood for absolute conservatism.
There are coaches like Arteta, who don't use an aggressive in-possession system. For example, Arsenal often last season did not have enough players through the middle and preferred to move the ball out wide before attacking the fullback or delivering a cross.
The primary reason for this is - rest defense.
The primary reason for this is - rest defense.
By playing through the middle, the team is accepting more risk on the counter as they'd be more open (the opposition can counter right through the middle). However, by shifting possession out wide mainly, it'll force the opposition to cover larger distances when countering.
The counter-press structure is also more compact.
The counter-press structure is also more compact.
The downside of playing like is that you'll lack creative threat - a hurdle for Arteta last season.
Now, all this isn't to say that Arteta is using the wrong approach, and every team must use the center. It's purely down to the coach's preference.
Rather, what I'm trying to say is that I view that to be a conservative on-ball approach. He wants control but is also being very risk averse.
Now, all this isn't to say that Arteta is using the wrong approach, and every team must use the center. It's purely down to the coach's preference.
Rather, what I'm trying to say is that I view that to be a conservative on-ball approach. He wants control but is also being very risk averse.
Maresca has shown to be that to a certain extent. Last season, when playing from the 3-2-5, Chelsea did look to try to play through the middle. However, in many games, the static positioning and lack of movement from the Chelsea players made the team similarly risk averse.
However, even last season, against low blocks, he's willing to be very aggressive with his team's positioning. I like that about Maresca.
He really commits with the rest defense and pins opposition really deep.
We're now seeing much better movement, chemistry, and connections in the team as well.
He really commits with the rest defense and pins opposition really deep.
We're now seeing much better movement, chemistry, and connections in the team as well.
In short, Maresca wants his team to control games. However, that does not mean Maresca always leans towards risk aversion. Against certain opponents and systems, he's willing to take more risk.
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