Enzo Maresca refused to appeal for the backing of Chelsea’s disillusioned supporters after his side was booed off the pitch following a frustrating 2-2 draw with Ipswich on Sunday.
The Chelsea boss and his players were met with jeers at half-time, with the Blues trailing 2-0 to third-bottom Ipswich.
Chelsea started brightly, dominating the opening 20 minutes, but fell behind when Julio Enciso pounced on Ben Johnson’s cutback to give Ipswich the lead against the run of play. Johnson then doubled the visitors’ advantage, heading in a cross from Enciso, which intensified the hostile atmosphere at Stamford Bridge.
The second goal highlighted an issue for Chelsea as goalkeeper Robert Sanchez disregarded Maresca’s instructions to build from the back and instead opted for a long clearance. This mistake allowed Ipswich to mount a swift attack, which led to the goal.
Despite Chelsea’s late resurgence, with an own goal from Ipswich’s Axel Tuanzebe and a stunning strike from Jadon Sancho, the point was not enough to help their Champions League qualification hopes.
Chelsea remain in sixth place, one point behind fifth-placed Manchester City, with six games remaining in their bid for a top-five finish.
Maresca reflected on the frustrations expressed by fans, suggesting that the supporters’ discontent with Chelsea’s slow build-up play contributed to Sanchez’s decision to play a long ball that led to Ipswich’s second goal.
“We are a team that usually plays short from goal kicks,” said Maresca, who has previously stated he would substitute players who fail to follow his instructions. “But for the second goal, we decided to go long because of the atmosphere, and we conceded.”
Once again, Maresca faced boos from the Stamford Bridge crowd during a chaotic performance from his side.
Chelsea are still in the hunt for a Champions League spot and hold a 3-0 advantage after the first leg of their UEFA Conference League quarter-final against Legia Warsaw.
While Maresca stopped short of begging for fan support, he acknowledged it could benefit the team’s chances.
“We are stronger with our fans; we are a better team. It’s up to them to decide how they react. When we were 0-1, 0-2 down, it’s normal for them to feel that way,” he said.
