Maresca: We Will Continue To Play Our Way
Ahead of a first Sky Bet Championship away game of the 2023/24 season, the City Manager spoke to the media about how he is preparing for the trip to West Yorkshire…
Huddersfield Town
The Terriers are currently winless this season, after falling to a 3-1 defeat on the opening day to Plymouth Argyle before being knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Middlesborough in midweek, but the Italian knows that the game will be a challenge.
“It will be a tough game; they are very aggressive,” Maresca explained. “We are going to try playing our way, but as they play very aggressive, and defend man-to-man, it will be tough. It may be difficult to find space, but we are improving, and we will try.
“It is important to win as many games as we can. We’ve played two and won them both, the team was quite good in both, but better in some moments. I think that is part of the journey and learning process.
“The main thing we’d like to do, after facing Coventry last weekend, is control the game a bit better. But it’s normal against a team who have such good quality. They have some good players and were dangerous in the counter attack.”
Admiration for Warnock
The 74-year-old Neil Warnock will be in the opposite technical area at John Smith's Stadium come Saturday afternoon, and while their brands of football are different, Maresca had nothing but praise for a man who has achieved so much in his career.
“First of all, I have a big respect for Neil Warnock, and any manager who has spent that many years in football,” he stated. “There are many good things he’s achieved, such as getting promoted many times.
“I know a lot about him, and in terms of style of play, I believe in some things, and he believes in others. Each manager believes in something different, but when you do believe in something, you give 100 per cent.”
Iheanacho's role
Nigerian striker Kelechi Iheanacho made his first start of the season, away at Burton Albion, on Wednesday evening in the Carabao Cup First Round, scoring six minutes in before assisting a Wilfred Ndidi settler before the break.
“One of the things we need to discuss between the player and the Club, is what the future looks like for Kelechi,” the 43-year-old informed the media. “We need to decide between the player, the Club and myself what is best.
“We want to clarify the situation as soon as possible, but right now he is playing well. He scored and got an assist against Burton and was very good.
“One of the things I’ve said since day one – to realise something important, you need the players, even if they’re on the bench, they give a boost and something extra.”
Enzo’s philosophy
Having learned a lot from his career so far, Maresca spoke about his love for the game, and what football looks like through his eyes.
He continued: “I said after the Coventry game, that when you are 1-0 down, people just want to go for long balls, and straight attacks, but that is not the way we play or our idea.
“Attacking quick doesn’t mean attacking well. Attacking quick often means the opposition can attack quicker than you because when you move quick, the distance between the defensive line and attack is bigger.
“The moment you lose the ball, you can concede. Our target is to build from the back, onto the edge of their box, with 11 players. We want to squeeze the play and find solutions and space to cause problems.
“Football is my passion, it’s not a job. I love what I do, so I spend a lot of time watching football, other games, Leicester games from this season and past, to look at how we can win."