Enzo Maresca doesn’t seem to understand the tactics before making subs, and that’s one of the reasons that made him lose the game.” Pep Guardiola reveals the only mistake that Enzo Maresca made that turned against him

One of the things that cost Enzo Maresca the game was his apparent lack of understanding of the strategy prior to making substitutions. Pep Guardiola discloses the lone error that turned Enzo Maresca against himself.

With Nicolas Jackson attempting to impress the manager in the final 44 minutes, Chelsea had just three forwards in the first half. However, the VAR later ruled Jackson’s efforts out following a thorough check.

Pedro Neto, who would have been so important in unlocking much of the Chelsea front line and helping to play within the two flanks, was not available. After deciding that Pedro Neto shouldn’t be the team’s standout player and agreeing to play only a few mediocre players, Enzo Maresca didn’t appear to have started any of his new acquisitions.

The Portugal international was signed by Chelsea last week in the hopes of using him to fix most of the front-line problems that beset Mauricio Pochetinno’s depth the previous campaign. However, they ended up starting just Nicolas Jackson, who was said to be essential, along with Cole Palmer and Christopher Nkunku.

Chelsea had more goals ringing before stoppage time, thus the manager’s most recent alterations had little to do with the expected comeback.

The entire situation was exactly what the supporters had expected to witness, despite Nicolas Jackson’s attempt being disqualified for offside.

The early going had been secured by Pep Guadiola’s goal machine, but it appeared as though the Blues had gained enough momentum to secure an equaliser. Robert Sanchez was also instrumental in preventing the 0-2 that would have been scored before halftime.

Enzo Maresca made his starting lineup without Pedro Neto, who just signed with West London, Ben Chilwell, or Raheem Sterling—all of whom had previously been linked to a summer transfer to Juventus.

Maresca stated in his pregame interview with Sky Sports that he made the “technical decision” to leave Sterling and Chilwell off of his squad in order to play City.

It frequently occurs. The Italian stated, “The manager is present; he needs to make some decisions.”

Players and the general public disagree with [the decisions] from time to time. That is typical.

But that’s all that it is—just a technological choice. We’ll find out in the coming days.

Even with the late substitutions Chelsea made in the first half of the second half—Neto for Christopher Nkunku and Marc Guiu for Nicolas Jackson—they were still unable to win.