New images have been put forward, show how toxic the atmosphere was at Stamford Bridge during the 2-2 draw of Chelsea with Ipswich on Sunday.
The blues were partly able to claw back from a shortage with two goals against the degradation griders of Kieran McKenna thanks to Axel Tuanzebe's own goal and an equalizer from Jadon Sancho.
Chelsea slid from the top five after this matchweek, now a point of the city and two points behind Newcastle, of whom the last one has a match in hand.
Enzo Maresca risked the return of Chelsea fans by suggesting that the 'environment' they created on the bridge helped to take the 2-0 lead from which his Champions League-Achtervolgers could never fully recover.
A video was posted on social media where fans could be heard to let general expletives swing towards players, while Robert Sanchez prepared to take a goal after an ippswich opposition.
“F *** ING Sort,” were the words of one fan before he added: “You are useless **** s.”
Warning: Strong language
The piece of S ***, “said another fan, while Sanchez encouraged his team to go onto the field.
Maresca seemed to claim that the negativity led Sanchez to send the goal kick for a long time, but unlike the short play according to the original plan, and the visitors benefited by making 2-0 seconds later.
“We lost a bit of trust because we admitted, probably because of the environment,” Maresca said after the result.
'This is the moment that you have to keep doing the right things and not change the plan.
'We are a team that usually starts our goal with playing briefly. The second goal, we decide to play for a long time, because the environment was there and we admitted. You have to be strong, you have to continue with the things you do. '
The images seem to confirm with the statement of Maresca, because it shows that Chelsea fans are driving the angry just when Sanchez stepped to take the goal and then cheered when he went for a long time instead of playing the ball out of the back.
Mail Sport understands that Maresca is still on a safe land as head coach of Chelsea, although the Italian has work to improve his relationship with the fan base after he apparently has recorded his own supporters.
Full focus in the club is on the run-in, where they can still protect Champions League football and cancel a trophy in the Conference League, and no consideration is made for another management change.
Maresca said: 'We are stronger with our fans. We are a better team. It is up to them to decide the way.
'Certainly, the moment we are at a difficult moment, you can expect them to [the fans] Are not happy, but at the same time it is probably the moment that the players, especially the players in the field, probably need more support. '
Chelsea Play Play at home on Thursday, when they organize Legia Warsaw in the second stage of their quartaalfinal draw, leading the blues 3-0.
The victory for Chelsea would make a semi-final collision against Rapid Vienna or Djurgarden.
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