Why i replace Sancho with Pedro Neto Enzo Maresca explains decision at half-time in Liverpool defeat

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Maresca Explains Half-Time Substitution of Jadon Sancho in Liverpool Defeat

Enzo Maresca has shed light on his decision to substitute Jadon Sancho at half-time during Chelsea’s 2-1 loss to Liverpool at Anfield.

Tactical Change at the Break

Sancho made way for Pedro Neto as the Blues tried to recover from a first-half deficit. When asked about the decision, Maresca simply stated, “Tactical.” Despite the defeat, the Chelsea boss expressed pride in his team’s overall performance.

“We don’t like losing, but if there’s a way to drop points, this is how you want to do it,” said Maresca. “Coming to this stadium and playing like we did against a team like Liverpool, I was pleased with our display. We probably deserved more from the match.”

Controlling the Game, Despite the Loss

Maresca went on to highlight how Chelsea managed to control significant portions of the game, creating chances and maintaining possession in Liverpool’s half, which is not a common sight at Anfield.

“The performance was strong. We were brave, both with and without the ball. I believe this is the right path forward,” he added.

The Influence of the Anfield Crowd

Maresca also mentioned that he believed the crowd noise at Anfield may have influenced some of the referee’s decisions. Liverpool were awarded two penalties during the game, although one was later overturned by VAR after an on-field review.

“Sometimes in this stadium, the crowd plays a role in decision-making,” said Maresca. “Referees are human, and decisions can go either way. But from the outside, it felt like some calls were swayed by the noise of the crowd.”

Positive Return for Reece James

A major boost for Chelsea was the return of Reece James, who started his first Premier League match in 10 months. James played for 53 minutes before being substituted, with Maresca explaining that the move was planned.

“For Reece and Romeo [Lavia], the plan was 45 minutes or an hour max. I didn’t want to risk them with more minutes, so I made the change,” he concluded.