Every word Enzo Maresca said on Chelsea draw, wanting more from the supporters and Sancho future

Enzo Maresca has just completed his post-match press conference following Chelsea's 2-2 draw with Ipswich Town at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues rescued a point with a second-half fightback in SW6 thanks to an own goal from Axel Tuanzebe and a beautiful strike from Jadon Sancho. Here is every word Maresca had to say on the draw and what he made of his team's display...

Your take on the game, what didn't work for you guys?

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"I think we started quite well, creating chances. Then when they scored the first goal, the game completely changed. The dynamic of the game, I think for 20-25 minutes until the first half, we were not good enough, especially defensively, because the two goals we conceded were from our mistake.

"Then in the second half, we just came back in the game. There was a lot of heads in hands, putting your head in your hands, with the chances that were going by at the end."

Just how big does it feel not having those two points, given your goal to qualify for the Champions League?

"As I said at the beginning, it's tough. Even in the first 20 minutes, at this stage of the season, against these kinds of teams, if you are able to score the first one, the game completely changes on your side. Unfortunately, we missed chances, and then we conceded. I think the team was not good enough in different things. This is where we need to take one step forward and react in the right way.

In terms of the way they were playing, or mentality?

"No, I think we lost a little bit of confidence, because we conceded, probably because of the environment. This is the moment that you have to continue doing the right things and don't change the plan. Also because we are a team that most of the time, our goal kick will start from playing short.

"The second goal, we decide to play long, because the environment is there, and we concede the second one. You have to be strong, you have to continue with the things that you are doing."

I just wanted to ask you about that, specifically with the second goal, because it felt like after the first goal went in, the crowd, the atmosphere, everything changed. Is it an issue with the players and how they responded to that? Do you want more from the supporters in that moment? You mentioned also the goal kick. I presume that's not something you wanted to see?

"No, it's just for sure not, but I can understand, because probably we conceded the goal, and they decided to play a long ball. But sometimes, I said many times, sometimes you go long, it doesn't mean that you are going to control something. The second goal we conceded is for that.

"And then in terms of fans, I said many times, we are stronger with our fans, we are a better team. It's up to them to decide the way. For sure today, probably, with the 0-1, 0-2, it's normal to be the way they were."

With Chelsea having a pretty tough run in, how costly could this result be? And the fact that only one point from two games against Ipswich, are you worried that you could come back to look upon these two games as being the difference between Champions League and not?

"Yeah, at the end of the season, we'll see. Hopefully not for us. But I think we are going, from now on, us, but the other six, seven clubs that are involved in the Champions League spot, I think we are going to win games, but at the same time we are going to drop points, because it's normal. For sure, probably today you don't expect to drop points, especially the way you start the game, because the way we start the game, I think for all of us it's just a matter of when they're going to score, and then we concede the goal and completely change the dynamic."

You mentioned how dominant you'd been in the first 20 minutes before the Ipswich opening goal, (4:15) but what happened in that period between that goal and half-time? "I think both goals we conceded, both we can defend better, but if you analyse both goals, the first goal is from Enzo, long ball, lose the ball, we concede. Second one is goal kick, long ball, we concede.

"Probably we lost a little bit of confidence, because we were in control, we were playing well. The goal we conceded, probably the players lost a little bit of confidence inside the pitch, because it's a game that you must win, you have to win, so when you see yourself one nil down, probably.

"But in that moment, my message at half-time was just that now is the moment that we need to react, we cannot continue in the way we were in the last 20, 25 minutes of the first half."

And how would you reflect on how the second half went for Chelsea?

"I think second half, we were our team, we were in the way, creating many chances, playing the opposite side. We were much more dynamic, we were much more, I think, better second half."

Why do you think that the environment, as you say, has become an issue here?

"I didn't say that the environment is an issue for us, because I always said that with our fans, with us, we are a better team. They have been there all season, all the way. For sure today, in the moment that we are in a difficult moment, you can expect them that they are not happy, but in the same moment, probably it's the moment that we need the players, especially the players that are inside the pitch, it's the moment that they probably need more support."

What are the chances of Jadon Sancho being at Chelsea next season?

"Yeah, no, he's doing well. Today we decided to start with Pedro and Noni. Noni is back from injury, scored twice the other day. Pedro is doing well. And Jadon is playing almost every game. The idea was just to refresh a little bit with him, knowing that he's going to give us a good moment, goal assist, and he'll show himself in the second half. Then for the future, to be honest, now is the moment. With one month to go, it's just the focus. It's about how we can finish, and then we have time to decide."