Chelsea’s Maresca Says No concern despite 3rd red card in 4 games

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca downplayed concerns about the club’s disciplinary record following their 1-0 Champions League victory over Benfica on Tuesday, a match that saw the Blues receive their third red card in four games. The latest dismissal involved João Pedro, who was sent off deep into stoppage time for a second yellow card due to dangerous play, as Chelsea secured the crucial win thanks to an own goal from Benfica’s Richard Ríos.

Chelsea’s recent run of red cards includes Robert Sánchez against Manchester United, Trevoh Chalobah versus Brighton, and two late-season send-offs for Nicolas Jackson against Newcastle and Flamengo. Despite these multiple dismissals correlating with previous losses, Maresca emphasized the context and nature of each incident, suggesting the team’s overall discipline is not a systemic problem.

“I always like to see one-v-one [meetings with players],” Maresca said. “The Newcastle and Flamengo red cards were for bad actions. Sánchez’s and Chalobah’s were attempts to defend the goal. Tonight’s second yellow for João Pedro was given for a dangerous dynamic, but he didn’t even touch the player.” Maresca further advised players to consider the timing and impact of such actions, noting that losing a player early can be more detrimental than conceding a chance while at full strength.

João Pedro’s suspension will rule him out of Chelsea’s upcoming home fixture against Ajax on October 22, posing a tactical challenge for Maresca as he seeks to maintain momentum in Europe.

This disciplinary pattern raises questions about Chelsea’s approach to defensive aggression and game management, but Maresca’s measured response indicates confidence in addressing these aspects without overhauling the team’s competitive edge. The manager’s focus now is on balancing assertiveness with composure to avoid compromising results while preserving the squad’s tactical intent.