Chelsea secured the Club World Cup in July with a decisive 3-0 win against European champions Paris Saint-Germain in the final, and concluded their pre-season on Sunday with a dominant 4-1 win against AC Milan at Stamford Bridge.
Their new attacking signings, Joao Pedro and Liam Delap, both found the net against Milan, who were left with 10 players after defender Andrei Coubis was dismissed in the 18th minute.
"I believe the performance was excellent until the red card. We started as we intended - with intensity and high tempo both on and off the ball," Maresca stated on Saturday.
"The red card altered the game somewhat, but it’s also normal since Milan began their pre-season 40 days ago and this was their sixth friendly."
Chelsea had previously defeated Bundesliga runners-up Bayer Leverkusen 2-0 in their first pre-season match on Friday.
"This is our second (pre-season game). Overall, I am very pleased, and now we begin the Premier League," the Italian added.
"I feel generally confident and excited. We have another long season ahead, and we will strive to do our best."
Brazilian Pedro has continued his scoring streak since joining Chelsea from fellow Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion in July, netting his fifth goal in as many matches for the Blues.
The 23-year-old praised his teammate Delap, who scored twice against Milan.
"I wouldn’t call it competition; I think it’s great for Chelsea to have both strikers performing well. In the last match, he didn’t score. Today, he scored two goals. I’m very happy for him," Pedro told Channel 5.
Chelsea will face newly-crowned FA Community Shield winners Crystal Palace in their Premier League opener on August 17.
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