Before the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, Chelsea were only ranked fifth among the favorites by bookmakers, behind Real Madrid, PSG, Man City, and Bayern. Even after reaching the final against PSG, Maresca's team wasn't highly regarded, having not faced particularly strong opponents. But the 3-0 victory against the reigning Champions League winners showcased the Italian manager's tactical prowess.

According to Spanish newspaper Marca, Maresca outmaneuvered Luis Enrique tactically. Chelsea exposed PSG's defensive vulnerabilities—something few opponents have managed to do.

Maresca's approach originates from his playing days at Palermo (2014-2016). The former midfielder began studying chess, even writing a research paper titled "Football and Chess" while pursuing his coaching badges. In the paper, the 1980-born manager wrote, "Every coach can benefit from studying the skills of a chess player".

Coach Enzo Maresca celebrates after the final whistle of the FIFA Club World Cup final at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey, USA, 13/7/2025. *Photo: Chelsea FC*

Chess is popular in Spain, especially among football coaches. Guardiola, Rafael Benitez, and Quique Setien have also studied chess to apply its principles to player development. Maresca views the football pitch as a chessboard, the match a game where every move has the potential to be decisive.

As an assistant to Fulvio Fiorin at Ascoli, Maresca often read after training sessions, typically focusing on philosophy and neuroscience. "Maresca always wanted his team to play proactively, build from the back, and defend flexibly," Fiorin told Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport. "We often used a 4-2-3-1 system when defending and a 4-2-4 when attacking. Chelsea's current system is similar to Ascoli's 8 years ago."

Maresca has worked with renowned football managers, including Manuel Pellegrini. He played under Pellegrini at Malaga (2011-2012) and later served as his assistant at West Ham in 2018. Following this, Maresca became an assistant to Guardiola.

Maresca (right) during his time as assistant to Guardiola at Man City during the 2022-2023 season. *Photo: Reuters*

Maresca sees center-backs as key passers in building play. He also integrates technology into training sessions, using GPS, heart rate monitors, and even drones. He and his staff combine data collected from players with video analysis to inform their decisions.

The Italian manager earned his coaching qualifications after his time as an assistant at Ascoli. However, he didn't immediately pursue a head coaching role. Maresca continued to learn, serving as an assistant to gain experience. Consequently, his name wasn't widely recognized until his triumph at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.

Many Chelsea fans protested Maresca's appointment a year ago, after he guided Leicester to promotion. However, he led the team to a top-4 finish last season, securing a return to the Champions League, and won the Conference League. "Maresca has big ideas and ambitions, and I knew he would succeed," Fiorin added.

Coach Maresca (in black) instructs Chelsea players during their 2-0 victory against Fluminense in the semi-final of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey, USA, 8/7. *Photo: AFP*

In chess, the Sicilian Defense is a popular opening favored by many grandmasters. In this opening, Black moves second but can choose aggressive variations, aiming for victory. Similar to the final against PSG, Chelsea faced a disadvantage but knew how to leverage their strengths and exploit their opponent's weaknesses. Cole Palmer acted as the queen, helping Maresca checkmate his opponent.

Xuan Binh (*Marca*)