Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has acknowledged that his team underperformed in their 0-0 draw against Crystal Palace on Sunday.
The Blues kicked off their Premier League season with a scoreless game in front of their home fans.
Match Performance Overview
Maresca’s side struggled to create meaningful opportunities, while Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson faced little challenge.
The most notable moment occurred in the first half when Eberechi Eze’s free-kick goal was ruled out due to a foul.
Manager’s Analysis
Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Maresca said: “Tough game, we expected a tough game.
“Apart from the first half free-kick, we didn’t concede any chances but they are a very good team.
“We could have counter-attacked better, we could have defended better but it is only the first game of the season.”
Pre-Season Impact
Maresca also highlighted the effect of Chelsea’s limited pre-season games.
“They played about eight games, we played just two so we tried our best. We didn’t lose a clean sheet,” he added.
Looking Ahead
While the result was a goalless draw, Maresca remains focused on improving his team’s attacking and defensive performance as the season progresses.