Enzo Maresca has just completed his post-match press conference after Chelsea's 1-0 win over Manchester United at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues picked up a crucial three points in their bid for Champions League football with Marc Cucurella's second-half header enough for the hosts. Maresca spoke to the media post-match and here is every word the Italian had to say:
How important was the win?
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Very important. At this stage of the season it's important to win games. We also pay attention in the way we win the game. I think tonight we struggled on the ball because we didn't expect them to be so aggressive man-to-man. I used to watch five, six, seven games of the other team. I've never seen them so aggressive man-to-man. So they surprised us a little by that.
I think between the first half and the second half we created enough chances to deserve to win the game.
What did you make of the goal itself?
No, very, very nice. The assist from the right full-back, the goal from the left full-back is the way I like to play. It's nice. I think Cucu already scored this season an exactly similar goal against Brentford, against Wolves. He's in the right position at the right moment, so it's not about how big you are, tall or small. Just to be in the right position at the right moment. Cucu is an intelligent player and he's helping us also with the goals.
I saw you celebrated a lot this week with yourself and the bench. How much does it count or you to go to Nottingham for the final game and be in control of your own destiny?
It's very important for sure, but the reason why I was so happy at the end is because United beat City away, drew with City at home, drew with Liverpool, drew with Arsenal. So they know how to play against a big team. So I expected, drew with us away, so I expected a very tough game.
The reason why I was happy was especially because we beat a team that against Arsenal, Liverpool, City, it was difficult to beat them.
And there was a big call to start with Tyrique George up front. How do you feel you did?
Very good. Very good. Brave. He was a threat in behind. Not easy for him because on the other side you have Maguire, you have Lindelof, you have Shaw. He was fighting against important defenders. But again, we tried to find a solution with a player from the academy. Overall I think also he had the penalty moment, so he works quite good.
Did he show enough to think that if you need him to do it at Forest you can do it there?
Absolutely, yes. 100%.
Going back to the post-match scene, there's also the sporting directors there, the co-owners there. Was the feeling sort of one of relief among you all or was it sort of a genuine kind of you guys are sort of feeling Champions League?
No, to be honest, we used to have that moment inside, in the changing room. After all the games since I joined the club, all the games too, they are always in the changing room in the same way. But today the plan was to say goodbye to the fans. So the plan was also for them to be there. It seemed like everyone was in good spirits though, is what I noticed. Yeah, because at this stage they know it's important to win games, the players.
The focus has to be on us, because if we are able to win two games tonight and the next one, it depends on us. We don't need to watch the other results. They knew it was a tough game and also for them the reason why they were so happy is because it's a nice win.
Can you shed some more light on Cucurella's redemption at Chelsea?
Cucu has a background with the Barcelona academy, La Masia. He grew up in a club where the philosophy or the idea that I like is similar. So the reason why Cucu is doing so good with us is also because we know him, what he can do and the way we like to play is exactly the way that is good for him. So it's in both ways.
We try to work day by day and I said before that it's not important how big you are or how small. It's important to understand where you have to be, the position, the moment and he's doing very well. The other one that is doing very well is Enzo Fernandez. This season he scored goals, assists and he could score more.
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