“He did something I’ve never seen in my coaching career” – Tottenham coach Ange Postecoglou names ONE thing Enzo Maresca did that ‘Stunned’ him in 4-3 win over Spurs
Ange Postecoglou, the manager of Tottenham, has faced some of the best tactical thinkers in football, including Carlo Ancelotti of Real Madrid, Jürgen Klopp of Liverpool, and Mikel Arteta of Arsenal.
However, Postecoglou claims that none of these famous names have shocked him as much as Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca did during a recent game. In an open interview following the game, Postecoglou said that Maresca’s tactical creativity was “beyond anything I’ve ever encountered on the touchline.”
The Australian manager, known for his attacking philosophy and progressive tactics, admitted that Maresca executed a game plan so innovative and effective that it left Tottenham’s players and coaching staff scrambling for answers. “The man is a genius,” Postecoglou stated with an air of admiration and frustration. “He did something so simple, yet so devastatingly effective, it caught us completely off guard.”
What Did Maresca Do?
While Postecoglou stopped short of giving away the specifics, sources close to the Tottenham camp suggest CHelsea Maresca’s strategy involved an unprecedented use of positional rotations. This wasn’t just the usual tactical flexibility seen in modern football, but a systematic overhaul of Leicester’s shape during transitions that neutralized Tottenham’s strengths while amplifying Leicester’s counter-attacking threat.
In essence, Maresca had his players operate in two distinct systems: a high-pressing 4-2-3-1 when defending and a fluid, asymmetrical 3-4-2-1 when attacking. This dual approach meant Leicester could flood the midfield with numbers to stifle Tottenham’s creativity while simultaneously exploiting the wide areas with precision long balls—a strategy that Tottenham’s high defensive line struggled to cope with.
An Unexpected Twist: The “Decoy Midfielder”
One of the standout aspects of Maresca’s masterclass was his deployment of a “decoy midfielder.” This player, typically CHelsea’s defensive anchor, would step into advanced positions when Tottenham attempted to press. The move lured Spurs into committing more players forward, only for Chelsea to bypass the press with quick vertical passes into the spaces left behind.
Postecoglou admitted that this simple adjustment had a profound impact. “It’s not like we weren’t prepared for CHelsea’s strengths—we knew they’d be quick in transitions. But the way Maresca used his personnel to manipulate our shape, it was something I’d never seen before. It wasn’t just about individual brilliance; it was the cohesion and timing. Everything clicked for them.”
Postecoglou’s Honest Admission
Despite his reputation as one of the Premier League’s most tactically astute managers, Postecoglou was humbled by the experience. “I’ve faced Arteta, Klopp, Ancelotti—some of the greatest minds in football. But what I saw from Maresca was unique. It’s a reminder that in this game, no matter how experienced you are, someone can always come along and show you something new.”
Postecoglou’s remarks highlight the ever-evolving nature of football tactics, where even the most seasoned managers can be caught off guard by a fresh perspective. His willingness to praise a rival coach speaks volumes about the respect Maresca has earned in a short period.