Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca says they have had a good season that will be “very good” if they qualify for the Champions League.
The side of Maresca earned a crucial victory in Fulham on Sunday with a late comeback that moved them to the fifth, a point behind the fourth placed Manchester City and two Drift of Newcastle in third place.
Chelsea has reached the semi -final of the Conference League as expected, but it is a place where he secures a place in the Champions League next season, which is their main goal.
Pedro Neto's 93rd minute winner in Craven Cottage earned them a second victory in five league games to recalculate their European bid, but Maresca trivialized the meaning of the victory.
He said: “Personally, the goal of Pedro (Neto) does not change my view of the season. I said three or four days ago and I will repeat, Chelsea has never been to the Champions League places in the last two years and this season we spent the entire season there.
“So today's victory does not change my opinion. It is already a good season and can be very good if we undoubtedly end up in the Champions League places.
“But certainly, today was an important victory, because first of all it is a derby, second, it gives us the chance to be there. And probably it was the most difficult victory, and the reason why they all played (competition rivals) yesterday.”
“So for us it was a must-win game and I think that after we have admitted that the goal is the reason why we were struggling a bit more because it became more difficult for the players. In the second half we were much better.”
Maresca was booked for celebrating the winner of Chelsea and left the field soon after the victory, allowing the players to enjoy the victory with the traveling supporters, who had chased their team away when they were left behind during the break.
“I was very happy, in the first place because it is a nice feeling to win the game at the end. But I think it was a moment for the players because they deserve to share that moment with the fans,” said Maresca.
“This is why I immediately left the field. And when we scored the second, I celebrated and this is why they gave me a yellow card.
“But I certainly think it was a nice moment for the players and for the fans to share that moment, it's important. And I said many times, the players have to feel the support.”