“Not the ideal situation” – Enzo Maresca on the factor that makes getting a result on Sunday so hard | OneFootball

Chelsea have played their final Thursday night of the season, seeing off Djurgarden at home with a team that finished the game almost half composed of young kids.

Despite that, it’s still a draining experience for players and staff, given there’s a short turnaround to Sunday’s game against Newcastle. In his press conference previewing the game against the Magpies (which was tacked onto last night’s post-game presser), manager Enzo Maresca admitted it was going to be tough to go from one important game to another with just 2 days in between.

Maresca on challenges of preparing for Newcastle

Lewis Hall battles for the ball with Axel Disasi at St James’ Park. (Photo by Ed Sykes/Getty Images)

“It’s not the ideal situation. It’s midnight on Thursday night [right now]. But we need to play the game, so we need to adapt immediately, we need to prepare the game in the best way. And I say, hopefully we can continue our good moment,” the manager said.

“Tomorrow we’re going to start preparing for Newcastle, we have two days, tomorrow and Saturday, and the players need to be focused on the Newcastle game, because that’s the next one. And for us, we have to keep thinking like the next game up is the last one of the season, give everything, and then at the end we will see.”

Chelsea face immensely difficult Newcastle test

Newcastle are our direct rivals for a top 5 place, they’re level on points and goal difference. They’re in great form too, having won 4 of their last 6 games. There are two games in the season to come after this one, but it’s a massive fixture in deciding who will get a Champions League place.

Going to St James’ Park is tricky in the best of circumstances – with this much on the line and the atmosphere rocking, this will be next level.