Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca says his players must end their red card curse after Brazilian striker Joao Pedro was sent off towards the end of a laboured 1-0 win over Jose Mourinho's Benfica.
Joao Pedro was dismissed for a second booking – a raised foot – in added time even though he had only been on the field for half an hour as a substitute.
He became the third Chelsea player to see red in four games after goalkeeper Robert Sanchex walked at Manchester United and defender Trevoh Chalobah against Brighton at the weekend.
Maresca said: 'Unfortunately it's another red card that we need to avoid.
'Sanchez was not for a bad action, it's just because he wants to defend the goal. Chalobah is because he wants to defend the goal.
'And tonight I think for the second yellow card, Joao 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 that in the moment probably you need to take a different reason and avoid this.
'Sometimes it's better to concede the goal or the chance because then it's eleven versus eleven and you have more minutes to play.'
Chelsea won the game thanks to a 19th minute own goal from Benfica's Richard Rios.
Afterwards Mourinho thanked the Chelsea fans for the songs they sang for him during the second on half on his latest return to the stadium where he made his name in English football.
Mourinho said: 'I don't feed myself with these memories, I feed myself with results. But I thank them. I was focused but you hear a bit of the sound.
'When I am in London I meet them every day on the street.
'My desire now is bigger than ever because when I came here first nobody was expecting anything from me.
'My career took me to a position where everybody thinks I have magic to make things happen.
'I left Man United after winning things, I left Tottenham after taking them to a final, Roma after two European finals. With me it is never enough.
'If I am in a job I like to put myself on the line every day. I am desperate to win the match, that is the nature.'
XpBhutia
0
I can see that coach cant use the player ability and the player rotation is weak perhaps he can go with Gui Neto and pedro at front and second half Estevo and Garnacho but he dont wana use them properly he only uses defence and enzo fernandez useless mid
bibdekmnt
0
Dis this absolutely nonsense & unacceptable
Theskyisblue
0
what do you expect from a man like Maresca he himself lack discipline
bodmas123
0
Chelsea the most useless team in the competition
and you called yourself blues' fake fc
NINOBLAQ_Sky
1
Chelsea the most useless team in the competition
Calm down, the coach is average so he needs time to deal with this current pressure, we'll be back in form again soon
seunfunmi33
0
Just like Gabriel
Which Gabriel???
jedceimprs
0
Jao Pedro and indiscipline like 5&6 a ticking time bomb just waiting to explode,as much as he got talent he also got a lot of anger and bad temperament
Just like Gabriel
Pori
0
Chelsea the most useless team in the competition
How bro? Please elaborate...
besblnoruy
5
The Chelsea players lack discipline these days
☆Adithyasharma☆
3
Chelsea are here to break the most number of the red cards in a season!! That's a Fact!!
akpovike
0
this is red card fc
yiybcpuy
3
why red card every game what happening with chelsea players are they afraid of playing full 99 minutes
lesadinuy
0
new name for Chelsea fc to Chelsea Rd(read card)
😅😅 we're still the blues. We will turn red into blue soon, come on, chelsea
Fiuabceny
1
when bad luck strikes, it's a stroke of 3, we just passed that. I hope now it's game on!
Fiuabceny
0
Chelsea the most useless team in the competition
sush useless fake fan
olubukolaemmanuel
1
Chelsea the most useless team in the competition
ice411
0
Nickolas Jackson was axed for receiving a red card, what happens to Pedro now?
A big lie Not because of that man
ice411
0
You silly coach banished Jackson from the team because of red cards, so what's your next action
Hiaaa What are you even saying, this man Stop talking rubbish Who said they banished Jackson from the team because of red card? You dey talk wetin you know? You and I knows that Jackson is not a proper baller Forget his goals luck, from his touches sometimes you will know!
tepcilns
1
You silly coach banished Jackson from the team because of red cards, so what's your next action
suzadlmpsy
0
Nickolas Jackson was axed for receiving a red card, what happens to Pedro now?
seunfunmi33
1
Jao Pedro and indiscipline like 5&6 a ticking time bomb just waiting to explode,as much as he got talent he also got a lot of anger and bad temperament
jowadeouz
3
new name for Chelsea fc to Chelsea Rd(read card)
Barongagz02
1
abeg leave us, your type of coaching is poor no tactics or game changer
Do u even have sense? I am also a Chelsea fan but don’t u understand how to read and comprehend or u just want to comment?
Huubcensuz
1
abeg leave us, your type of coaching is poor no tactics or game changer
can you coach Mr know all
Biodilmnyz
2
Be careful in Chelsea blue
Lesabnou
3
red card in the last 3 consecutive games .... Chelsea set a new record
yutacilrst
5
Maresca red card against Liverpool
Jacadlmu
3
abeg leave us, your type of coaching is poor no tactics or game changer