The coach of the Chelsea team was forced to admit that his team would continue to concede goals if they played defensively after the drawn match in the first round.
Midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu equalized in the 82nd minute in Santa Clara, California, to level the score after Wrexham had taken a two-goal lead with two second-half strikes Bongdalu.
Christopher Nkunku’s sharp finish in the penalty box had given Chelsea the lead in the 35th minute of their opening pre-season friendly in the United States.
However, Wrexham took an unexpected lead after both teams made extensive changes at halftime, with Luke Bolton and Jack Marriott capitalizing on defensive errors.
These mistakes highlighted a challenging second-half performance as Chelsea adjusts to Maresca’s possession-based style.
Wrexham made a strong impression, following up their 1-1 draw with Bournemouth on Saturday at the partially filled Levi’s Stadium, home of the San Francisco 49ers.
This marks the Welsh club’s second consecutive pre-season tour in the US, leveraging their growing popularity under Hollywood co-owners Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds. Phil Parkinson’s team is gearing up for third-tier football for the first time since 2005.
Maresca was questioned about the goals conceded as part of his playing philosophy, which emphasizes a patient build-up from the back.
“Hopefully, not too many. It’s one of the risks involved in trying to build play from the back,” he said.
The 44-year-old former Leicester boss confirmed he would “absolutely” stick with his approach, adding: “I have no doubt. Goals will be conceded in various ways, so it’s crucial to decide how you want to concede them.
“Teams that build from the back often concede goals, but I believe you’ll score more than you concede.
“Of course, there are many areas we can improve, but we’ve only been working together for two weeks. It was important tonight to start seeing the team’s identity, and it’s beginning to emerge.”
Winners and losers of the patient, controlled approach – an analysis
The match began energetically, with Levi Colwill and James McClean narrowly avoiding red cards after a clash just three minutes in.
In the second half, Chelsea’s Ugochukwu lost possession and failed to close down a cross from Sebastian Revan, which allowed Bolton to score the equalizer.
Youngster Josh Acheampong was caught pushing forward as Marriott exploited the space behind to score a well-placed second goal past Lucas Bergstrom.
Chelsea equalized through a slick combination involving substitutes Angelo Gabriel, Armando Broja, and Ugochukwu, who redeemed himself with a precise left-footed finish to level the score.
Chelsea are clearly starting the Maresca era with a style reminiscent of his Leicester City team that won the Championship last season.
This approach was evident during an open training session for selected media this week, as the club transitions to a possession-based style—one that was met with mixed reactions from Leicester’s fan base.
The slow, patient, and controlled method featured Chelsea building up play with three defenders at the back, a full-back—captain Reece James in the first half—moving into midfield, and two of the three central midfielders pushing high up the pitch to form an attacking front five.
In the first half, the strategy proved effective as James and Colwill performed well in their full-back roles, fitting Maresca’s requirements seamlessly.
However, Malo Gusto and Ben Chilwell found it challenging to match that success in the second half after the Blues made 10 substitutions at halftime.
Maresca’s ideas Thập Cẩm TV could lead to both winners and losers, as some players adapt to a style that contrasts sharply with Mauricio Pochettino’s high-energy, flexible, and less demanding tactical philosophy.
“Identity is clear, and we will implement solutions”
Maresca offered a balanced evaluation of the performance, stating: “Given that we’ve only been working together for two weeks, it’s crucial for both the staff and us to start recognizing the team’s identity. Tonight, it was quite evident.
“We will definitely be adding more solutions.
“It doesn’t matter who the opposition is; when they place all 11 players behind the ball, finding space and solutions becomes challenging.”
Wesley Fofana, who missed the entire 2023-24 season due to a long-term injury, and Romeo Lavia, who played just 32 minutes last season, both made appearances.
Maresca commented: “Both players are very important. Right now, it’s crucial for them to get minutes and make the most of every training session. After a year without significant playtime, it’s mentally challenging. They need a boost, and 45 minutes will be beneficial for both.
“While the result is always significant, at this stage, we also need to evaluate other aspects.”
The Blues will next take on Scottish champions Celtic at Notre Dame on Saturday night (Sunday morning BST) as Maresca continues to assess his squad. “The target for tonight’s match is to score within the first 45 minutes. It’s too soon to focus on the starting XI.
“Additionally, with four or five players absent, it was important to see the team display a clear identity, and I believe we saw that.”
