Enzo Maresca on Red Card: "Better to Concede a Goal than Lose a Player"

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has commented on goalkeeper Robert Sánchez's early red card in the team's match against Manchester United, stating that it was a strategic error.

During the game, Sánchez was sent off for fouling Bryan Mbeumo, who was through on goal. In a post-match interview, Maresca said, "It was better to let Mbeumo score than getting the red card... We still had 95 minutes to play. Robert Sánchez is aware of that. It's difficult… but if you ask me, I prefer to be one goal down after five minutes than one player down."

The manager's comments highlight his belief that a momentary deficit is a preferable outcome to being at a numerical disadvantage for the majority of the match.