Enzo Maresca, in a recent interview with Men in Blazers, outlined his holistic approach to football, stressing the importance of both offensive and defensive strategies.

“Most people think we just want to focus on how we want to play on the ball, but the focus has to be both sides, on the ball and off the ball,” Maresca explained.

He elaborated on the adjustments being made to the team’s style of play, highlighting a commitment to dictating the game.

“We are trying to change a little bit on the ball because we want to dictate the game and try to play in the opposite side,” he said. This approach aims to control the game’s tempo and dominate possession.

However, Maresca was equally emphatic about the significance of off-the-ball tactics.

“Off the ball, we try to be very aggressive in terms of high pressing and that requires a bit of time because it’s a big change,” he noted.

Implementing such an aggressive pressing strategy is a significant shift for the team, necessitating time and adaptation.

Despite the challenges, Maresca remains optimistic about the team’s progress. “But hopefully we can reach that very soon,” he concluded, expressing confidence in the team’s ability to adapt and excel under this comprehensive game plan.

Maresca’s balanced focus on both possession play and high pressing underscores his strategic vision, aiming to build a team capable of dominating games both with and without the ball.