Maresca: “I have mixed feelings whenever I come to Greece – Panathinaikos is good, it will be a difficult match”

On Thursday night (24/10, 19:45), o Panathinaikos welcomes to the packed OAKA the Chelsea for the 2nd matchday of the League Phase of the Conference League.

In the context of the press conference before the game, the Italian coach of the “blues”, Enzo Marescawas mentioned among others on his way from Olympiakos as a football player, while, he emphasized that his team should pay attention, since o Panathinaikos has a very good set.

Enzo Maresca’s statements in detail:

For the Chelsea players who had injuries:

“They are available. He is here with us.”



On what he remembers from his time in Greece as a football player in Olympiakos and how he sees tomorrow’s match: “Many years ago… The feeling is a bit mixed. The season I had here in Greece with Olympiakos was very good. As you said, he is the great rival of Panathinaikos. I was here unfortunately when I lost a friend on the pitch in Seville. We were already in Athens, Puerta lost his life. So mixed feelings. The season in Athens was fantastic, but every time I come here I feel a little sad. Tough game tomorrow. Panathinaikos is a very good team, I have seen several games with the new coach. It will definitely be a difficult game.”

For Joao Felix: “He’s very good, he’s doing fantastic. I have nothing negative to say, only positive. All he has to do is continue to play as well and soon he will have more opportunities.”

On Josh Acheabong, who is currently out of the first team: “I feel a little bad for Josh. Some games would be an opportunity for him. We talked 3 weeks ago about his condition. We had a really good chat, but we haven’t spoken since. I really think Josh is a player with the potential to be great. He is still 18 years old, a lot can change but in the future he can become very important for Chelsea. We need to find a solution for his contract. It’s a bad situation for him right now. I don’t know if those who are trying to solve the problem are helping him or not. However, I really like it.”

On Palmer’s absence from the European list and whether Chelsea might not concede a goal at OAKA: “I’ve already said it many times. We are trying to protect some players. I think we concede goals like any other team. Tomorrow in a full stadium I hope we won’t concede.”

On when Mudrick can reach his full potential: “I don’t know! We try to work with him every day. He will become better day by day, working with us. He is like Joao. He is playing well, it’s just that at the moment there are other players who are playing well. The important thing is that when they get the opportunity, they take advantage of it.”

On whether the atmosphere in the Greek stadiums concerns him in the management of his footballers and on a positive and a negative point he has identified in the analysis of Panathinaikos: “I’m from Italy, I know the atmosphere is similar to Italy. I don’t think this environment is better or worse than Anfield. The players are good enough to handle it. Panathinaikos has good players, for example Tete. Also the coach was in Seville. Overall they are a good team, they have good points and some problems. We will do our best tomorrow.”