“Seeing an empty spot every day is tough”: Maresca on Jota’s tragedy
Steven Perez
Dailysports's expert
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has praised the courage and resilience of Liverpool’s players, who continue to deliver top performances despite the tragic death of Diogo Jota.
Details: Maresca, who endured a similar heartbreak during his playing days when his Sevilla teammate Antonio Puerta passed away right after a match in 2007, expressed his admiration for how Liverpool has coped with their loss.
“I don’t think it’s any easier to play against them now just because they dropped points. They’re still a very strong team. Their performance this season is impressive, especially after the tragedy with Jota,” Maresca said.
“I went through something similar 20 years ago. It’s incredibly hard—for the players, the club, and the coach. Every day you arrive at the training ground and see an empty spot. You have to be really strong to keep going.”
The Portuguese forward died in a car accident in July, just weeks after helping his team secure the Premier League title.
According to Maresca, it’s Liverpool’s emotional resilience that makes their performances even more worthy of respect.
Liverpool will face Chelsea away this weekend, aiming to bounce back after their defeat to Crystal Palace.
Reminder: Maresca has confirmed that Cole Palmer will miss the upcoming match.
