Enzo Maresca explains why two key players miss Leicester game and hints at more rotation | OneFootball

Chelsea are taking on Leicester at the King Power this afternoon, and it’s a funny old game for Enzo Maresca.

He’s back at the team he was managing last season, and the pre-game interview on TNT Sport focused on that, among other things.

You can see the manager speaking in the clip embedded here:

[Footage from TNT Sport]

Maresca addresses hot topics

First on the list were the surprise absentees, Pedro Neto and Malo Gusto. Maresca explained their absences:

“Malo, unfortunately during the night felt bad. Pedro got a kick with his international team. He’s feeling better, but we didn’t take any risks for today.”

Asked how it was being back at his old team, the manager smiled, but without much feeling. He’s focused on Chelsea:

“[Being back is] nice, I said already during the week that it was a fantastic feeling. We spent a fantastic season here and we’re very thankful.”

Asked about whether it would be an advantage knowing the opposition so well, he pointed out it was a two way street:

“It’s both sides – we know them and they know us very well. So we will try to make some small adjustments, but I think it goes both ways.”

Finally came questions about rotation, with changes today and many games to come:

“Yeah absolutely, as you said we have so many games now. It’s something we were thinking about during the international break. Until now we decided to use all of them in both competitions, Conference League and Premier League. But I said many times, the ones who played in the Conference would play in the Premier League, and today we changed 4 players.”

“Every game is a tough game, Leicester are a good team, they are doing well. But we prepare the game to try and win.”