Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has doubled down on his use of offensive language ahead of the UEFA Conference League final with Real Betis in Wroclaw on Wednesday night, Afrosport reports.
The Italian tactician hit out at critics who lacked faith in his ability to handle the squad and finish in the Champions League places, having suffered a dip in form after starting strongly at the start of the season.
Maresca told his detractors to “eff off”, after Sunday’s crucial 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest, which secured their place among Europe’s elite for the first time in two seasons.
Levi Colwill, goalscorer in that game, spoke in like manner afterwards, and Maresca defended the use of language, asserting it was only an outburst.
“They [critics] were not talking In the right way and the reason why is because yes we are young, yes we are the youngest squad in the history of the Premier League but at the same time they are they are men, so I also use that critics to say ‘guys today it’s a chance that we can say that we are not young, we are mature enough we can compete and we can do the right things’ so I think Levi [Colwill] reaction my reaction, different players that they react, it was just…an outburst.”
A European final awaits…
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Should Chelsea win the Conference League, they will become the first team to win all three European trophies, which include the UEFA Champions League and Europa League.
