According to reports, everything in the Premier League has intensified in the race for Champions League qualification. Chelsea’s season is reaching its most exciting phase, and Enzo Maresca knows that if his team wins the next three matches, they will not only secure a trophy (Conference League) but also clinch a Champions League spot for next season. The loss to Newcastle on Sunday kept Chelsea in fifth place, with two league games remaining—the first being against Manchester United at Stamford Bridge tomorrow.

Despite the defeat at St. James’ Park—Chelsea’s first league loss in nearly two months—Maresca was satisfied with his team’s performance with ten men for an extended period. Chelsea dominated the game against Newcastle, and Maresca wants the same mentality for the remaining fixtures.

Chelsea’s head coach said in today’s press conference: “In the second half against Newcastle, we played with three defenders, three midfielders, and three forwards—so we were brave.”

He added: “The team has always been brave, but due to other teams’ performances, sometimes we could show this bravery and sometimes not. Overall, I think the team has been brave from the start. The spirit we showed in the second half, the unity and effort of the players, was incredible, and this is what we absolutely need in the next two games.”

Maresca is fully aware of the importance of the remaining matches. He is confident his team has the ability to secure a Champions League spot for next season and win the Conference League. He believes managing these expectations will be a sign of a successful season.

Maresca said: “From day one, I’ve enjoyed the pressure and knew there would be moments where we’d be happier and sometimes less happy. This is my job.”

He continued: “The pressure is on all of us—the club, because from day one we said it’s our duty to bring this club back to where it belongs, which is fourth or fifth place and the Champions League. The players, coaching staff, and club are aware of this. I hope we can finish the season in that position.”

Maresca added: “At the start of the season, if someone had told us we’d need to win the last two games to reach the Champions League, we’d probably have been happy. Many didn’t believe in me. Overall, this season has had many great moments, like the first five or six months when we were in second or third place—which was even better. Now we’re in this position, and we’re trying to finish the season well.”