Enzo Maresca en un entrenamiento del Sevilla FC
First team

ENZO MARESCA: AN ITALIAN WITH SEVILLISTA PEDIGREE

01/01/2018
An Eindhoven hero who played four seasons with Sevilla FC - winning five titles and most importantly, winning the hearts of Sevillistas. He returns home to keep the dream alive from the bench, as Montella's assistant

Enzo Maresca (Pontecagnano Faiano, Salerno, 1980) arrived at Sevilla FC at 25 years old and left four seasons later with immense sporting achievements on his CV and with one of the most treasured prizes any sportsperson can achieve - winning the hearts of Sevillismo. His commitment to form part of the group, become entrenched in Nervionense blood, make friends and give everything for the badge on his chest on the football pitch placed him amongst the favourites in the 'prestigious decade' of our football club. 

Maresca became one of the key pieces of Sevilla FC's jigsaw to the surprise of Sevillistas and the rest of the world. He won five renowned titles in just over a year. He was an Italian who contributed hunger and character and heaps of quality. He was a competitive animal who perfectly encapsulated Sevilla's pedigree of excellence. Now, back at home, he returns to keep the dream alive and contribute - as Montella's assistant - his experience and knowledge gained from those years.  

Two UEFA Cups, two Supercups, Europe and Spain, and a Copa del Rey are the highlights of Maresca's Sevilla CV

From his arrival at the club in July 2005, Maresca became an integral to the centre of midfield. He made 141 appearances and scored 21 goals: 96 in the league (13 goals), 23 in the UEFA Cup (five goals), 14 in the Copa del Rey (two goals), two in the European Supercup (one goal) and two in the Spanish Supercup; he also played four Champions League games. Of all the goals he scored in his first season, the strike to stand out was his unforgettable goal which made it 4-0 in Eindhoven against Middlesbrough in 2006. He was named Man of the Match on that magical night to cap off a fine performance and a fine tournament - scoring three goals in 11 appearances. In a touch of class that will live long in the memories of Sevillistas, Maresca donated the ten thousand Euro cash prize for his MOTM display to the Hospital San Juan de Dios.

Maresca donated the ten thousand Euro cash prize for his MOTM display to the Hospital San Juan de Dios

The unfotgettable first UEFA cup was followed by the European Supercup of 2006 against FC Barcelona (3-0). And then again in 2007, a second UEFA Cup in Glasgow - which saw Maresca play 45 minutes in a 2-2 penalty win against RCD Espanyol. Then came the Copa del Rey against Getafe (1-0) and a Spanish Supercup against Madrid (1-0 at home and 3-5 in the Bernabéu). Under Jiménez' Sevilla he moved on, having lost his starting place. 

To say the name Maresca is to bring back memories of a penalty against our eternal Green and White rivals (1-0 with nine men on the field). It brings back memories of his commitment to the club and his infusion with the idiosyncrasies of the Nervionenses. His tribute tattoo to his friend Antonio Puerta - '16 por siempre' (16 forever) - is just one more wink to his roots in Seville. Though he may have only played four years of his 20 year career at Sevilla FC, under Vincenzo Maresca he has the chance at a second spell at the club 37 years after leaving. Maresca has proved his loyalty once again, and has only strengthened his place in the hearts of Sevillistas.