Sarri on Blues draw, his verdict on Loftus-Cheek, Luiz’s contract and Hazard’s reaction to being left out
A rundown of what Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri had to say after the 1-1 draw with Eintracht Frankfurt in the first leg of the Europa League semi-final.
On Chelsea’s performance
“I think we made a mistake in the first 20 minutes. My feeling from the bench was that we were playing for a 0-0. But we are not able to do that with our characteristics. Then we started to play after 25 minutes and we played very well until minute 85.
“In my opinion we deserved to win. We were in full control of the match. But they were very dangerous on the counter-attack – 1-1 away is not so bad.”
On the second leg
“They are very dangerous at home but, unfortunately, they are also very dangerous away.
“I have seen all Eintracht’s away matches in the Europa League. They are really very dangerous away.
“So it all depends on the second leg. We’ll play at Stamford Bridge and we want to play in the final but we know very well that we have to play a good match next week.”
On whether Chelsea were surprised by Eintracht
“We knew the opponents very well. We have seen all the matches in the Europa League and knew the characteristics of the opponents.”
On leaving out Eden Hazard
“Eden was on the bench because in the last period he had 10 matches in a row.
“This match for us was number 59 and he has also played eight matches with the national team. For a player it is impossible to play 70 to 75 matches in a season.
“So, like other players he needs to rest or not play for 90 minutes. The second reason is that Eden is usually able to change the match from the bench.
“For me it was better to start with Willian and then try in the last 30-35 minutes with Eden.”
On Hazard’s reaction to being a substitute
“I told him in the meeting before the match, like all the other players.
“Usually I don’t speak with the players I want to put on the bench. Otherwise I have to speak to everyone before every match and I have no time.
“He was in the dressing room joking as usual. Normal. He knows the truth very well. He knows that sometimes he has to rest.”
On the prospect of an all-English final
“I want the final, against every team – Arsenal or Valencia. For me it’s exactly the same.
“I want the final and this time I don’t want to (only) play the final, I want to win.
“I think three months ago we were in trouble in a very difficult championship and it’s not easy to react.
“We were able to react and now in the last 10-15 days of the season we are fighting for the top four and the final of the Europa League.
“So I think at the end of this season we deserve a trophy.”
On Ruben Loftus-Cheek
“Loftus is a very important player. He improved a lot during the season.
“When he is at the top physically he is a very important player for us. He is always in trouble with his back. It’s not easy for him to have training with consistency.
“But in this game he was really fit. Unfortunately in the last 10 minutes he had cramp so he called me for a substitution.”
On David Luiz’s contract talks
“I know that he had a meeting four or five days ago but then my mind was in this match and I didn’t ask him the result (of the meeting).”
On the pursuit of a Champions League place
“We have to play five matches in two weeks with the same level of importance.
“We can get to the Champions League by the Premier League or Europa League. We want both – we want the top four and to get to the final and this time to win the final.”
