Maresca Hails ‘Ugly Win’ Over Spurs as Sign of Chelsea’s Growing Maturity

Key Takeaways:

• Chelsea edged Tottenham 1–0 in a hard-fought, tactical encounter
• Enzo Maresca emphasised the importance of winning without flair if necessary
• The Blues are aiming for Champions League qualification but focusing on day-to-day improvement

Grinding Out Results in Style-Free Fashion

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca expressed satisfaction after his side secured a narrow but crucial 1–0 victory over local rivals Tottenham Hotspur, despite acknowledging the game lacked the kind of aesthetic football he promotes. The Italian tactician highlighted the need to adapt and win under less-than-ideal circumstances — an essential characteristic of any successful team.

“The result is very important because we are approaching the end of the season. At the same time, we are trying to play the way we want. At times, we positioned ourselves very well on the pitch. We don’t like it when matches end like today. But if we want to become a great team, we must learn to win in an ugly way, and I’m perfectly fine with that,” said Maresca.

Enzo Maresca talking after the game last night on our win against Spurs last night. pic.twitter.com/g7yv6oYzsy

— Frank Khalid OBE (@FrankKhalidUK) April 4, 2025

Performance and Mentality Take Centre Stage

While some may critique Chelsea’s lack of dominance in possession or fluid attacking patterns, Maresca pointed to the number of opportunities created and the collective effort shown late in the match as reasons to applaud the performance. According to him, the display — especially in the final stages — demonstrated the kind of spirit and discipline he is trying to instil in the squad.

“The match overall was good. I think we deserved to win. We created plenty of chances even before halftime. In the last ten minutes, we showed spirit, effort, and unity — things we need,” noted the Italian coach.

Focus Remains on Long-Term Development

Though qualification for next season’s Champions League remains one of the club’s key ambitions, Maresca maintained that his primary focus lies on consistent improvement and maintaining the upward trajectory of Chelsea’s development under his leadership.

“Of course, we want to qualify for the Champions League, but personally, I want to see the team improve day by day — and it really is happening,” added Maresca.

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