Maresca: We’re Continuing To Work
Domestic football is back this weekend, beginning with the Sky Bet Championship clash at St. Mary’s Stadium, as third-place City take on the Saints in seventh in an 8pm BST kick-off.
Leicester's Manager spoke to the media in his pre-match press conference on Thursday morning, giving an overview of how his team are working towards their return to action.
The international break
Seeking further progression in the style of play that Maresca is implementing at the Club has been a key target for the Italian over the past week, despite the challenges he has faced by having the majority of the squad stationed away from LCFC Training Ground.
He explained: “First of all, we had just 11 players, so it was not easy to work on something, because players were away with their international teams, but we used that time to work with these players, to first of all try to improve them and with some of them, also to try to improve some of the things that we still need to improve.
“We tried to work but at the same time it was not an ideal situation, it was not a full squad. With a full squad it is much easier to work, but continuing to improve, for sure that’s the target, to add the small details, add the small things that allow us to get better.
“In the break, I reviewed the seven games that we played. In the last third, it’s sometimes the tempo of the ball. Sometimes it’s more the quality of the pass. Sometimes it’s a low pass. If you see a calm pass, it’s not always a quick pass.
“The control of the game, the tempo of the game, most of the time, it’s because of the quality of the pass. Probably, we need to improve that in the last third. But we have improved since the first day against Coventry in terms of transition and how we concede less in transition. They are all normal for us because there are things that we need to improve.”
Eyes on Southampton
The Saints have made a solid start under Russell Martin as they also look to plot a route back to the Premier League. Winning three and drawing one of their first five games, a 5-0 reverse at Sunderland prior to the international break is the only major blot on the copybook so far.
“For sure, they are a good team,” Maresca stated. “It’s clear that they are looking for something. Probably, it’s not still clear because also they were also just relegated just a few months ago. But from my point of view, it is so clear they are looking for something.
“With time, I’ve no doubt that they are going to improve, and they will be one of the teams that at the end of the season are fighting for promotion. For me they are not so much different from the Coventry game or Cardiff or Huddersfield, in terms of the idea.
“They probably use different weapons to try and hurt us but for me they are going to be similar games, not different. It’s very important to start from tomorrow to try and win, to come back to where we want to win games always.
“At the same time, we know that the opponent wants the same. They just lost 5-0 so they are going to be like us, maybe even more so, because it’s different than 1-0, but we need to be ready for that.”
Just the beginning
Leicester's own start to 2023/24 has been positive. A record-breaking four straight league victories, along with progression in the Carabao Cup, has brought a feel-good factor to King Power Stadium.
“Absolutely, I am pleased,” the 43-year-old commented. “First of all, because it’s probably easy to forget that two months ago the Club was relegated. These guys have won six out of seven. With many changes, these players have started in the right way, positive.
“It’s fantastic, they are doing a huge, amazing job. At the same time, the reality is that we lost the last game and there are many more games; some of them we are going to win, some of them we are going to lose. That’s normal.
“I am completely happy with the way they are trying to play and win games. But in the end, it is not easy. We always see the reality when we lose a game. When we win, people get confused that it is easy to win, but it is never easy to win.
“I know how difficult it is. It was difficult against Burton; it was difficult against Tranmere. It was difficult in all the games we won in the Championship. Even against Hull, which in the end we lost, it’s probably the game we created more in and deserved something more.
“In the end, it’s football and you lose a game. For sure, outside it creates more expectation. Inside, as a club, as players, as backroom staff, we do not need to be confused about that.”