Chelsea’s manager, Enzo Maresca, acknowledged that his team “will be prone to conceding goals this season while playing out from the back” following two defensive blunders in a 2-2 draw with Wrexham in his inaugural match.
Midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu netted an equaliser in the 82nd minute in Santa Clara, California, responding to two second-half goals from the League One team.
Christopher Nkunku kicked off the scoring with a precise finish in the penalty area during the 35th minute of Chelsea’s pre-season opener in the United States.
However, Wrexham unexpectedly took the lead after both teams made extensive substitutions at halftime, with Luke Bolton and Jack Marriott capitalizing on defensive errors.
These defensive mistakes highlighted a lackluster second-half performance as Chelsea adjusted to Maresca’s possession-driven style of play.
Wrexham had a solid showing, following up on their 1-1 draw against Bournemouth on Saturday in a mostly empty Levi’s Stadium, the home of the San Francisco 49ers.
This marks the second consecutive pre-season tour in the U.S. for the Welsh side, leveraging their increased popularity under co-owners Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds, as Phil Parkinson’s team gears up for third-tier football for the first time since 2005.
When questioned about the potential for conceding goals due to his tactical approach, which emphasizes a more deliberate build-up from defense to attack, Maresca stated, “Hopefully, not too many. It’s an inherent risk of attempting to build from the back.”
The 44-year-old, who previously managed Leicester, affirmed he would “absolutely” maintain his philosophy, explaining: “I have no doubts. Goals can be conceded in various ways, so it’s crucial to determine how you want to concede.”
“Teams that focus on building from the back often concede, but I believe you will score more than you let in.”
“Certainly, there are numerous areas where we can improve, but we are only two weeks into this process. Tonight was vital for beginning to establish the team’s identity, and that identity is emerging.”
