Sarri on Alonso needing to improve, injury latest and Man Utd’s rough treatment of Hazard
Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri spoke about a number of issues at a news conference ahead of the game against BATE Borisov. Here’s some of what the Italian had to say.
On Chelsea’s Europa League start
“The last two matches have been difficult. It was not easy, so we have to prepare our minds to play another difficult match because this opponent during the season has lost only four times and their season is coming to a finish.
“It will be very difficult. This season they have done better away than at home, so it’s not an easy game.”
On Jorginho
“I think he needs to rest now because he played for 90 minutes in the two matches for the national team and then he played for 90 minutes in our last match, so it’s time to rest for him.”
On Eden Hazard
“Tomorrow he is out for sure. He has a back problem and we are trying to solve the problem for Sunday. I think it’s not very easy. The other one out is Ampadu for the knee.”
On other possible changes
“I want to think very well (about his team selection), because the problem is not this match, the problem will be playing on Sunday after 65 hours. We have to be careful I think, and so maybe five or six (changes).
“Christensen I think will be on the pitch. I don’t know for Odoi. Loftus, maybe.
“This match is not a big problem, because we play five days after the last game. The problem will be on Sunday because we will play after 65 hours, so we need to change something.”
On Marcos Alonso’s new contract
“I am very happy with him and for him. You know that I think he can be the best left-back in Europe but I also think he needs to improve in the defensive phase because he was used to playing in a five defensive line and now he has to play in a four and he has to improve.
“If he is able to improve I think he will be the best left-back in Europe.”
On the FA charging coach Marco Ianni for his provocation of Jose Mourinho
“First of all as I said after the match, we were wrong. I was there when Marco spoke to Mr Mourinho.
“He said sorry immediately and it was really very important I think that he realised he was wrong.
“And so I think that I want to give him another opportunity. Because I know very well the man, I know very well that he was really sorry.
“And he realised the mistake, everybody I think can make a mistake.
“But you need to learn from the mistake. And so I think he will be able to do this. I know very well the man, so I am sure.”
On what punishment the FA might dish out
“For the FA I don’t know, I haven’t experienced that here.
“I don’t know the consequences, but we were wrong so we have to accept the consequences.
“I want to respect the decision of the FA. I think everybody has to learn from their mistakes.
“I think that now like a man I am better than when I was 35.
“Otherwise I am a stupid man, if I am not able to learn from my mistakes I think that I am stupid.”
On whether he was unhappy with Manchester United’s challenges on Hazard
“I don’t know. I like English football very much. It’s normal I think. No problem with Manchester United in particular.”
On whether he worries about keeping his fringe players happy
“I don’t know what you are talking about. I don’t want to answer to the father of Christensen (who recently suggested his son might seek a move). I want to answer to Andreas, not the father.
“It’s not easy for me to change the four defenders because we have to do a lot of work. The rotation at the moment is (between) the Premier League and Europa League but maybe in the future it will be different.”
On whether he still thinks Liverpool and Manchester City are a level above Chelsea
“It’s not easy to play the higher teams, so we need to improve for sure. For example in the last match, in the second half, we were not able to cover immediately the lost ball.
“The team wasn’t so short and compact like in the first half, so we need to improve. For our football it is very important to be close to the ball, otherwise we have a problem because we are able to play with short passes but if I have no team-mates near it’s very difficult and we have a problem for this reason in the defensive phase.
“So we need to improve and be short and compact for the 90 minutes. We had the same problem in the last 25 minutes against Southampton.”
