Maresca praised James, citing his importance to the team as captain and a key player. He noted that James' ability to play every three days is a positive development for Chelsea, as it allows them to plan their lineup more effectively. Maresca acknowledged that James' mistake led to the first goal, but emphasized that it was a one-time error and not a reason to remove him from the game.

Regarding Christopher Nkunku, Maresca stated that his absence from the bench was a technical decision, without elaborating further.