Enzo Maresca is urging his Chelsea side to channel their aggression and focus ahead of Sunday’s London derby against a vulnerable Tottenham team, but he’s also calling for composure—a quality he admits was lacking during one infamous moment in his own playing career.

Exploiting Tottenham’s Weaknesses

Maresca sees an opportunity for Chelsea to capitalize on Spurs’ current struggles, particularly in defense. Tottenham recently fielded Ben Davies as a makeshift central defender in their 1-0 loss to Bournemouth, highlighting their injury concerns. While Cristian Romero’s potential return could bolster Ange Postecoglou’s side, Maresca believes Chelsea must be prepared to exploit any lingering vulnerabilities.

“We try always to exploit,” Maresca said. “It’s a derby, it’s Tottenham. We prepare for the game thinking it will be big.”

Learning from Maresca’s Infamous Derby Moment

Reflecting on his dramatic equalizer for Juventus in the 2002 Turin Derby against Torino, Maresca shared how his bull-horn celebration, a taunt referencing Torino’s club symbol, added fuel to an already heated rivalry. The chaotic scenes that followed became a defining moment in Italian football history.

However, Maresca now emphasizes the importance of discipline and control, contrasting his youthful exuberance with the professional mindset he expects from his Chelsea players. “Every player lives the game in different ways,” he said. “I don’t know if they need these kinds of things, but they are aware it is an important game.”

Focused Aggression and Consistency

Maresca has instilled an ethos of consistency and focus at Chelsea, irrespective of the opponent. While he acknowledges the unique emotional weight of a derby, he insists the team must maintain their usual intensity and aggressiveness.

“We don’t change the way we want to be aggressive depending on the other team,” he explained. Instead, Maresca wants his players to approach the match with a clear head, aware of its significance but not distracted by the occasion.

Chelsea’s Task

Chelsea will need to balance their aggression with discipline to secure a crucial win against their rivals. With Tottenham under pressure and Chelsea seeking consistency under Maresca’s leadership, this London derby promises to be a fiery contest. The question remains: can Chelsea maintain composure where Maresca once did not, and turn the tide in their favor?

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