Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has downplayed concerns over discipline in his squad, even after a player was sent off for the third game in four games against Benfica on Tuesday night.
Joao Pedro was sent off for a second bookable offense in the closing stages of the match to become the third player from the club to receive his marching orders in as many matches.
The red card did not matter this time, as the Blues got their 2025/26 UCL campaign back on track with a 1-0 win over Benfica at Stamford Bridge.
The London side welcomed former manager Jose Mourinho to the club, with the Portuguese returning with a Benfica side that were also in search of their first European win of the season.
Chelsea, meanwhile, had lost 3-1 to Bayern Munich in their UCL opener and had lost three times in the four matches prior to the midweek clash.
There were also issues surrounding their ability to manage games, following late collapse in most of their recent outings.
However, they started brightly against the Portuguese side and deservedly went ahead in the 18th minute when Richard Rios turned in a cross from Alejandro Garnacho.
Joao Pedro, who was an injury doubt before the match, came on in the 61st minute, but was sent off in stoppage-time for a second caution.
It marked the third time a Chelsea player had been sent off in their last four matches, after Robert Sanchez’s red card in the 2-1 defeat to Manchester United and Trevoh Chalobah’s dismissal in the 3-1 defeat to Brighton.
The Brazilian will now miss the Blues’ next UCL match against Dutch side Ajax Amsterdam after the international break.
Maresca downplays discipline concerns
While speaking in his post-match conference after his side’s narrow win over Benfica, manager Enzo Maresca believes the red cards could have been avoided, but his side are perfectly disciplined.
“At least we learned how to win the game with the red card, that was the first one. Anyway, it was just two or three minutes to play.
“I always like to see one-v-one [meetings with players]. I think [the] Newcastle and Flamengo red cards, they were for bad action. Then Sánchez [red card] is not for a bad action, it’s just because he wants to defend the goal”, Maresca said.
“Chalobah is because he wants to defend the goal. And tonight I think the second yellow card. João didn’t even touch the other player, but the dynamic of the action is dangerous one. So for me personally, there is not any concern or any issue.
“It’s just a moment that probably you need to take a different reason and avoid, for instance, Robert’s after two, three minutes. Or even the other day, Brighton, 50 minutes”, the Italian added.
“Sometimes it’s better to concede the goal or the chance because then it’s 11-v-11, you have 40 more minutes. So for me personally, there is not any problem behind.”
