Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca will not be on the touchline when his team face Nottingham Forest on Saturday, October 18, following his red card during their dramatic 2-1 victory over Liverpool.
Maresca was sent off after racing down the touchline to celebrate Estevao’s last-minute winner with his players. The passionate celebration earned him a second yellow card, triggering an automatic one-match suspension.
In his absence, assistant coach Willy Caballero will take charge of the Blues from the dugout at the City Ground.
The Italian’s dismissal added to an already turbulent evening at Stamford Bridge, where Chelsea suffered fresh injury blows. Both Benoit Badiashile and Josh Acheampong were forced off, leaving the team short of defensive options.
Chelsea are still without key players such as Cole Palmer, Trevoh Chalobah, and Liam Delap, intensifying Maresca’s selection worries.
Despite the setbacks, the manager can take encouragement from his team’s resilience and determination in the victory over title favourites Liverpool, sealed by Moises Caicedo’s opener and Estevao’s dramatic late goal.
