UEFA Champions League Group Stage Round 6, Chelsea will face Atalanta away from home. Ahead of the match, Chelsea manager Maresca attended the pre-match press conference and discussed the team's current situation.
On Delap’s injury and Palmer’s absence from the squad
– Delap is lucky; he didn’t suffer a fracture. For Palmer, the current situation is part of his recovery process. He can’t play two games in three days – this is to protect him.
Will Reece James and Wesley Fofana play tomorrow?
– Both Reece James and Wesley Fofana are in the squad, so they will be available tomorrow. We’ll see the starting lineup then. Delap was absent for two months earlier; João Pedro, Neto, and Tyreke George have all played as the No.9, and we’re working to find a solution. We know Delap needs games to regain form and get better. Unfortunately, he’s absent again now.
On Delap’s recovery timeline and whether Sterling will be back in your considerations
– As I said, Delap hasn’t fractured anything. How long will he be out? Frankly, I’m not sure. As for Sterling, he’s a Chelsea player. January is approaching, and anything is possible – we’ll wait and see.
On Garnacho’s performance since joining
– He can contribute more to the team, but it’s not just Garnacho; we’re working to improve all players. Working with him is very easy – he’s eager to learn, open-minded, and performs well both with and without the ball. Overall, he’s doing a great job.
What do you miss most about Italy?
– The food. When I have free time, I’ll cook a nice meal. It’s my hobby; I love food and can cook all kinds of different dishes.
Proud to be back in Italy?
– First of all, returning to my home country is always a pleasure, that’s for sure. Moreover, representing one of the world’s top clubs like Chelsea here at this moment makes me extremely proud.
On Serie A
– From another perspective, Serie A has changed a lot tactically. Many teams are now trying – not copying, but drawing on what Atalanta has done under Gasperini in recent years. Most teams try to adopt a five-back formation; they’ll follow you even if you go to the toilet – they’re everywhere.
