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Chelsea's Dreadful Defense: What Enzo Maresca Learned From The Leeds Defeat.

Chelsea’s 3–1 collapse at Elland Road was more than a bad night; it was a brutal tactical lesson that exposed every weakness in Enzo Maresca’s defensive structure and mentality. From set‑pieces to second balls, from build‑up mistakes to emotional control, Leeds turned Chelsea’s “control football” into chaos – and forced Maresca to confront what has to change if his project is going to survive the Premier League’s harshest tests.​ Setting the scene: a title chase derailed This defeat did not arrive in isolation. It came three days after Chelsea’s heroic 10‑man draw against Arsenal and shortly after a draining European run, at a point when the narrative around Maresca was cautiously shifting towards “title outsider” rather than “transition season.” Leeds, newly promoted and inside the bottom three at kick‑off, were supposed to be the type of away assignment that defines serious contenders: ugly, intense, but ultimately controlled.​ Instead, Chelsea left Yorkshire nine points off top spot...

Lewandowski dreams of a retroactive Ballon d'Or win.

Between 2020 and 2021, Robert Lewandowski had the most successful period of his career with FC Bayern. However, the Polish international did not win the Ballon d'Or. However, there are suspicions that the 2020 prize will be handed retrospectively. Lewandowski has not lost hope in this regard.

Even at the age of 35, Robert Lewandowski maintains an impressive goal-scoring record. This season, the Barça attacker has 20 goals and nine assists in 43 competitive appearances. However, the striker unquestionably had his best years at FC Bayern.

Lewandowski also sees it this way. He told Sport BILD that 2020 and 2021 were the best years of his career. A friend recently texted me this statistic: "I scored 100 goals in 85 games." In both years, the Pole was named FIFA World Player of the Year, but he was denied the Ballon d'Or.

Retrospective honor for Lewandowski? 

However, there are now suggestions that the 2020 prize may be handed retrospectively. Regardless of the delay, Lewandowski would be pleased with the honor. "Of course, I would have hoped to get the Ballon d'Or prize someday. I'm neither furious or sad since the trophy is still absent. But I believe it would have been my time in one of the two years."

The former Bayern Munich player went on to say, "I've heard there are rumors about a retrospective award for 2020." This year was fantastic for me; I was at my peak performance, and we won everything. Let's put it this way: if I were to win the Ballon d'Or 2020 four years later, I would not be offended; it would be a wonderful honour, and I would embrace the prize.

The prize was canceled in 2020 due to the coronavirus, but all associated competitions continued to take place. At the time, only the French Ligue 1 had concluded its season prematurely. That year, Lewandowski helped Bayern win the treble and was named the season's best player. 

 

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