Enzo Maresca said he was happy after his name was sung by Chelsea fans following their victory in the Carabao Cup (Carabao Cup) quarterfinal against Cardiff City, Wednesday, December 17, 2025, early morning WIB.
The Chelsea manager was in the headlines after the win over Everton at the weekend, saying the 48 hours leading up to the game were the worst for him at Stamford Bridge.
Maresca declined to answer many questions at a pre-match news conference on Monday, December 15, 2025, local time, about who was the target of his controversial statement.
After Chelsea's 3-1 victory over Cardiff, Maresca preferred to talk about the positive result.
"I'm happy, we're going to play in the semi-final again. I think that's what the fans deserve. It's an amazing moment, I appreciate it, I'm always grateful."
"In some moments when you don't win the game, they are not happy, but that's normal. Overall, the fans are always there."
"It's the kind of game that makes me love the players even more because you can't imagine how easy it is to slip because it's a difficult game."
"Every season there are teams they lose to, you know, League Two (third-level league) or League One (fourth-level league). You need to pay attention, you need to do the right thing," said Maresca.
Alejandro Garnacho scored twice and another substitute, Pedro Neto, also scored. The Chelsea substitute proved the difference in the second half.
Apart from the match, Maresca confirmed that he had not spoken to club officials after his comments at the weekend.
He revealed that the day after the match against Everton - which was then crowded because of his controversial statement - the Italian coach preferred to focus on preparing the team for Cardiff.
In fact, Maresca was also reluctant to continue with the hot statement after the victory against Cardiff because he had to focus on the weekend's match.
"No, like I said yesterday (Monday), the day after Everton, I started preparing for Cardiff. Focus on Cardiff."
"Now I just say on the bus that I'm going to watch Newcastle (against Chelsea on Saturday, December 20, 2025). I don't talk to anyone. I don't talk, it's okay."
"I always say that I'm happy since the first day. So, it doesn't mean that I'm not happy tonight. I'm happy."
"Now we have three hours to get to Cobham (Chelsea training ground). I'll watch two Newcastle games."
"There is no time. Time is for the players. For us as staff, we will focus on the next match, namely Newcastle. So, we will prepare ourselves," said Maresca.
Maresca added that Brazil winger Estevao will miss the game against Newcastle due to a minor muscle problem that kept him out of the match against Cardiff.
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