Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has admitted that his Blues side had to react to Leicester City ‘surprising them’ with their formation in Sunday’s Premier League fixture.
The West Londoners had been presented with the chance to move into the top four of the Premier League table through Nottingham Forest defeating Manchester City earlier in the weekend.
A second-half goal from Marc Cucurella ultimately proved to be the difference at Stamford Bridge, the left-back finding the far bottom corner from 25 yards.
As a result, Chelsea have now put together a three-match winning streak in all competitions ahead of facing Copenhagen and Arsenal before the March international break.
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“They surprised us”
There were several surprises in the Chelsea XI with goalkeeper Robert Sanchez starting between the sticks and Wesley Fofana making a welcome return to the defence.
However, Maresca acknowledged that it was his former side Leicester who had forced his players to react when learning that they were deploying a back five, different to their usual back four.
As quoted by football.london, the Italian said: “Very happy. The main reason is because when we prepare a game, we watch as many games as possible and they have been good since he [Ruud van Nistelrooy] arrived.
“They surprised us with the formation – a line of five, this is something that probably the other teams start to expect us. The same happened in Copenhagen.
“The players have been so good this season with the way they are adapting. I’m really sorry for Leicester and I will always be thankful for them. But I’m happy for my players.
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Chelsea react to Palmer penalty miss
For the first time in his career, Cole Palmer missed from the penalty spot, Foxes stopper Mads Hermansen producing a fine stop low down to his left.
Nevertheless, Maresca refused to criticise the playmaker who he says had been set to miss the game until he cleared himself fit after illness.
Maresca said: “Cole didn’t train yesterday because he didn’t feel well. This morning he woke up and asked if he could be on the pitch to help this club play Champions League.”
Reece James was also suffering with illness and missed the game, although the current expectation is that both players will be available for selection for the second leg of their Conference League last-16 tie with Copenhagen on Thursday night.
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