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Tag: Maurizio Sarri

  • Sarri laments Lazio’s midfield crisis after Dele-Bashiru blow

    Sarri laments Lazio’s midfield crisis after Dele-Bashiru blow

    Lazio head coach Maurizio Sarri has been left counting the cost of a bruising Derby della Capitale after Nigerian midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru limped out just 14 minutes into their 1-0 home defeat to Roma.

    The 23-year-old Super Eagles star, making only his third appearance of the season, was replaced by Reda Belahyane, adding to an already growing injury headache in the Biancocelesti midfield.

    Speaking after the game, Sarri admitted that the repercussions of the derby defeat went beyond the result, with his options in the middle of the park now severely limited.

     “The repercussions are material, not mental. On Sunday against Genoa, we only have one midfielder available — Cataldi,” the 66-year-old coach said.

    Read Also: BREAKING: Dembele wins Ballon d’Or 2025

     “Losing a derby hurts me. You turn around and glance at the stands, the Curva, and you realize you’ve let the fans down. I hope it hurts the players too.”

    Lazio went into the derby already without Matias Vecino, who continues to struggle with a muscular issue. Adding to the woes, Matteo Guendouzi and Reda Belahyane are suspended, while Dele-Bashiru and Nicolo Rovella both picked up knocks against Roma.

    Sarri confirmed that Rovella’s condition will be further assessed during the week, but his absence against Genoa looks increasingly likely.

    With a Europa League clash looming midweek and a tricky Serie A tie against Genoa on Sunday, the Biancocelesti boss faces the daunting task of piecing together a competitive midfield with Cataldi as his only fully fit natural option.

  • De Gea fumbles as Man. United hold Chelsea

    Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea produced another blunder to gift Chelsea a 1-1 draw in the battle between the two top four hopefuls.

    Ex-Chelsea man Juan Mata had given the hosts an early lead at Old Trafford, but Maurizio Sarri’s men were level just before half-time when De Gea spilled Antonio Rudiger’s long-range effort into the path of Marcos Alonso, who made no mistake.

    Defeats for Tottenham and Arsenal this weekend meant the winner of this clash had the chance to steal a march on their rivals.

    United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer named Ander Herrera in his starting line-up, despite the Spanish midfielder believed to be close to joining Paris Saint-Germain in the summer.

    The hosts started the brighter and took the lead after just 11 minutes. Romelu Lukaku played in Luke Shaw, who laid the ball back for Mata to swivel and shoot past goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.

    Read Also: Man U insist on £45m plus  Morata for David de Gea’

    Chelsea players celebrate after profiting from a David De Gea mistake to equalise. Alex Livesey/Getty Images

    United were on top and Lukaku showed his determination as he barged defender Cesar Azpilicueta into the advertising hoardings, but they failed to add to their lead and were pegged back on 43 minutes following another De Gea howler.

    The Spain No. 1 has been at fault for goals against Arsenal, Barcelona and Manchester City in recent weeks.

    Buoyed by that equalising goal, Chelsea were much brighter after the break, but failed to test De Gea’s frail confidence further.

    Both sides lost central defenders to worrying-looking knee injuries in the second period with Chelsea seeing Rudiger hobble off on 65 minutes and United’s Eric Bailly following him down the tunnel six minutes later.

    The result means Chelsea stay fourth but move two points clear of fifth-place Arsenal, with United a point further back in sixth.

    ESPN

  • Chelsea season not a failure without UCL – Sarri

    Maurizio Sarri has said his first season in English football will not be a failure even if Chelsea do not qualify for next season’s Champions League through the Premier League or Europa League.

    Chelsea currently sit fourth in the table, one point ahead of Arsenal and three ahead of Manchester United, their opponents in a Premier League showdown at Old Trafford on Sunday that could be decisive for both clubs’ hopes of a top-four finish.

    Eintracht Frankfurt stand between Sarri’s men and a place in next month’s Europa League final, but the Italian believes his team can point to significant achievements even if they fall short domestically and in Europe.

    Asked if he would consider this season a failure if Chelsea don’t secure Champions League football, Sarri replied: “No. No, we played a final [in the Carabao Cup]. We lost the final on penalties. We are in the semifinal in the Europa League. We are fighting for the top four.

    “So the season, at the moment, is good. Of course we have two very, very strong targets: we want the top four in the Premier League and, at the moment, we want to go to the final of the Europa League. If we are able to get to the final, then we will want to win the final. And so I think the season is, at the moment, good.

    “Of course, it’s a very difficult season. We lost in the wrong way two or three matches, so the feeling, sometimes, is worse. I think for this reason because we lost two or three matches in the wrong way, in a very wrong way, without fighting. But if you look at the season, we are doing well, I think.

    Read Also: Sarri: We need to be better

    “Of course, it’s only the first step. We need to improve more. We need to become competitive for the top. The first step, though, is good.”

    Chelsea have a chance to all-but-eliminate United from the top-four race with a win at Old Trafford on Sunday, but Sarri’s men already missed one golden opportunity to tighten their grip on fourth when they were held to a 2-2 draw by Burnley at Stamford Bridge on Monday.

    Sarri, however, insisted that his players did everything they could to win the game.

    “I think we realised that the match was really very important, and we were able to fight in the match,” he added. “Of course, in the second half, we were not physically brilliant like in the first half. But it was the same, I think, for all the other teams who played in European competition during the week.

    “As I said before, after 55, 56 matches, it’s really very difficult to be at the top physically, to be brilliant. But when you are able to score two goals in a match after a European match, you have to win. We conceded two very stupid goals, I think and so we paid at the end of the match.

    “But we realized the importance of the match because we fought for 90 minutes.”

    ESPN

     

  • Chelsea boss Sarri charged by FA after dismissal vs. Burnley

    Maurizio Sarri has been charged with misconduct by the Football Association after being sent off during Chelsea’s 2-2 draw with Burnley.

    The Italian was dismissed by referee Kevin Friend and fourth official Roger East in the 94th minute of the match, which was marred by several angry exchanges between the two benches and the match officials, culminating in a mass brawl in front of the dugout at full-time.

    Sources told ESPN FC Sarri’s anger boiled over after repeatedly being called a “s— Italian” by several members of the Burnley bench.

    Read Also: Sarri: We need to be better

    Sarri has until 6 p.m. on Friday to respond to the misconduct charge, but the FA’s investigation of other incidents that occurred during the game is ongoing.

    Chelsea and Burnley are likely to both be charged with failing to control their players and staff, while members of the visiting club could also face disciplinary action if they are found to have abused Sarri.

    Details of what was said to Sarri were passed to Friend after the match, and are expected to feature in his report.

  • EPL: Higuain on song as Chelsea thrash Huddersfield

    Gonzalo Higuain scored his first brace with Eden Hazard also got two goals in Chelsea’s 5-0 victory over Huddersfield at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

    The win ended a troubled week for boss Maurizio Sarri, following Wednesday’s 4-0 loss to Bournemouth – their heaviest league defeat in 23 years.

    Higuain, who signed on loan from Juventus in the January transfer, opened the scoring in the 16th minute.

    N’Golo Kante played in Higuain with a delightful reverse pass to beat the offside trap and the Argentine striker finished first time, lashing his shot in at the near post.

    In another development, Ashley Barnes’ penalty deep into second-half stoppage-time got a 1-1 draw for Burnley against fellow strugglers Southampton at Turf Moor.

    Barnes calmly stroked home from the spot after Jack Stephens had handled the ball inside the box under pressure from substitute Peter Crouch.

    Wolverhampton Wanderers sealed their place in the top half of the Premier League with a third successive top-flight win as Everton once again conceded from a set-piece.

    Ruben Neves fired the visitors ahead with a penalty after Leighton Baines had fouled Matt Doherty. Andre Gomes  equalized for Everton before Wolves restored their lead from a free-kick. Raul Jimenez headed home Joao Moutinho’s set-piece before Leander Dendoncker sealed a thoroughly deserved three points with a volley.

  • Biggest test perhaps for Sarri, as Chelsea host Manchester City

    It has taken less than two weeks for the optimism generated by a 12-match unbeaten start to Maurizio Sarri’s reign at Stamford Bridge to fizzle out.

    This weekend the Italian faces his biggest test to date when Manchester City visit.

    In fairness to the former Napoli manager, he stressed throughout the heady days of early Autumn that Chelsea were not equipped to challenge Manchester City for the title.

    Now, ahead of Saturday’s clash between the sides, a 10-point gap has opened up.

    On Tuesday, Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City maintained a searing pace at the top with a 2-1 win against Watford.

    Twenty four hours later, Chelsea went down 2-1 at Wolverhampton Wanderers — their second defeat in three English Premier League games.

    Sarri said his side had only played well for 55 minutes at Wolves.

    He added that he knows they will have to be at full tilt for 90 minutes on Saturday if they are to have any chance of halting the Manchester City juggernaut.

    He said he expects a “big reaction” on Saturday.

    But he already appears to have settled for a top-four scrap along with London rivals Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal, rather than chasing down Liverpool and champions Manchester City.

    “Manchester City are in another category. We have to play and to fight to be in the top four,” Sarri said after the setback at Wolves.

    “City are the best team in Europe, maybe the best in the world. They can win the UEFA Champions League.”

    Juergen Klopp’s Liverpool, who like Manchester City are unbeaten, started without Roberto Firmino, Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane at Burnley on Wednesday but still won 3-1.

    With a huge `must-win’ UEFA Champions League game coming up next week against Napoli, Klopp may well gamble on squad rotation as they travel to seventh-placed Bournemouth for Saturday’s early kick-off.

    Victory for Liverpool would take them top, at least until Manchester City’s later clash with Chelsea.

    Third-placed Tottenham Hotspur will also have a massive UEFA Champions League night on their minds when they travel to Leicester City on Saturday evening.

    Manager Mauricio Pochettino will be less than pleased that his side kickoff at 1945 GMT with a trip to FC Barcelona following on Tuesday.

    It was a game Tottenham will almost certainly have to win to reach the last 16 of the tournament.

    Fifth-placed Arsenal have no such concerns as they host Huddersfield Town on Saturday looking to extend their unbeaten run in all competitions to 21 matches.

    Manchester United, who are 18 points behind leaders Manchester City and eight adrift of fourth-placed Chelsea after three successive draws, are at home to bottom club Fulham.

    Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has made 46 changes to his starting line-up already this season and all eyes will be on his selection again.

    He comes face to face with the original “tinkerman” Claudio Ranieri, now at the helm at Fulham.

    Mourinho left record signing Paul Pogba on the bench for Wednesday’s 2-2 draw at home to Arsenal and also started without Romelu Lukaku.

    But goalscorer Anthony Martial picked up an injury against Arsenal and is a major doubt to face Fulham.

    Also on Saturday, Burnley host Brighton and Hove Albion while new Southampton boss manager Ralph Hasenhuttl will be in the dugout for the first time.

    His side take on fellow strugglers Cardiff City.

    West Ham United will be seeking a third consecutive win when they host Crystal Palace in a London derby.

    Match Day 16 Fixtures

    Bournemouth vs Liverpool

    Arsenal vs Huddersfield

    Burnley vs Brighton

    Cardiff vs Southampton

    Manchester United vs Fulham

    West Ham vs Crystal Palace

    Chelsea vs Manchester City

    Leicester vs Tottenham

    Newcastle United vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

    Everton vs Watford

  • Sarri rules out switching Kante’s role

    Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante will not be moved back to his preferred position in central midfield, according to the English Premier League clubside’s manager Maurizio Sarri.

    The Italian manager said the role was more suited to technical players such as Jorginho and Cesc Fabregas.

    Kante emerged as a leading deep-lying midfielder in recent seasons, winning back-to-back Premier League titles with Leicester City and Chelsea.

    He also helped France to claim the 2018 FIFA World Cup, but Sarri said he had to adapt to an advanced role.

    “I want to play a central midfielder who is a very technical player. So, for me, it’s Jorginho or Fabregas.

    Read Also:Kante signs five-year deal with Chelsea

    “I don’t want Kante in this position,” Sarri told reporters ahead of Thursday’s UEFA Europa League clash with Greek side PAOK Salonika.

    Chelsea head into the contest on the back of a 3-1 league defeat by Tottenham Hotspur, their first loss of the season, where Kante and Jorginho struggled to influence the game.

    The result saw Chelsea drop to fourth in the standings and Sarri criticised 27-year-old Kante’s performance.

    “Kante, in the last match, wanted to solve the match after the first 15 minutes, but in the wrong way. He lost the position, he attacked too much,” Sarri added.

    “This one is not one of the best characteristics of Kante, but it was only in reaction to the difficulties.

    “Maybe it’s only a question of time, but Kante has to stay near to Jorginho, especially when the ball is on the other side,” the Chelsea coach said.

     

  • Mourinho in focus again as English Premier League returns

    When Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho returns on Saturday to Stamford Bridge to face former club Chelsea, much would not have changed about him regarding his recent comments.

    He had said “it’s not about me” after his team’s thrilling comeback win over Newcastle United, but this is unlikely to be heeded this time.

    Mourinho’s words, spoken after united fans chanted his name in appreciation of the 3-2 victory, may have reflected weariness at the constant focus on his position at Old Trafford.

    But the spotlight will unavoidably be on the Portuguese again.

    The manner of United’s win, with three goals in the final 20 minutes of all-out attacking football, has raised the question of whether he will change.

    The change is for him to embrace a more positive style of play.

    Nothing in Mourinho’s history suggests that is likely and the prospect of facing Maurizio Sarri’s in-form team at Stamford Bridge is a strong deterrent against a cavalier approach.

    Second-placed Chelsea are unbeaten, level on points with champions Manchester City and challengers Liverpool and with their Belgian forward Eden Hazard in scintillating form they will start as clear favourites.

    Manchester United is already seven points behind the leading trio, having lost to Brighton and Hove Albion and West Ham United on the road and Tottenham Hotspur at home.

    Read Also: Mourinho deserves respect for being ‘real’ – Lukaku

    Surely, Mourinho will be keen to ensure they avoid defeat in west London.

    Chelsea has not lost at home to United since October 2012, losing just two of the 16 meetings between the two since then.

    Mourinho has suffered four defeats in six games against his former club since taking over at United.

    But, as he reminded the media in his recent demand for more “respect”, Mourinho won three Premier League titles in his two spells as Chelsea manager.

    The former Porto and Real Madrid boss has never been afraid to play defensively when visiting top rivals.

    So, for all the hope that he might try to replicate the ‘gung-ho’ second half display against Newcastle United, it would be no surprise if he were to revert to type on Saturday.

    Manchester City will expect to pick up three points at home to a Burnley side that will feature former City goalkeeper Joe Hart.

    City has not lost at home to the Clarets since 1963 and has lost once in their last 19 meetings in all competitions.

    Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp will also be expecting maximum points when he faces off with close friend David Wagner as the Reds travel to Huddersfield Town on Saturday.

    Huddersfield is 18th in the table, have yet to win during this campaign and have managed to score only four goals.

    Fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur visit London rivals West Ham on Saturday while in-form Arsenal host Leicester on Monday looking for a 10th successive victory in all competitions.

    Sunday’s game features Everton at home to Crystal Palace.

  • Liverpool’s Van Dijk faces fitness test ahead of Chelsea clash

    Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk faces a fitness test ahead of Wednesday’s League Cup clash with Chelsea, although fellow defender Dejan Lovren is available, manager Juergen Klopp said on Tuesday.

    Van Dijk sustained a knock to an earlier rib injury and was substituted in the second half of Liverpool’s 3-0 victory over Southampton on Saturday.

    It was a result that left the early Premier League pace-setters with six wins from as many games.

    “He is much better. It’s still a bit painful, nothing else,” Klopp told reporters ahead of the League Cup third round clash at Anfield.

    “We will see how we deal with that. It’s not too serious, but it’s not anything, so that needs to settle for sure.

    “We will see how he is today and make a decision about him.”

    If Van Dijk is ruled out, the experienced Lovren could fill in, as the Croatian had shaken off a pelvic injury.

    Read Also: Van Dijk ready to spur Liverpool to silverware

    The 29-year-old has not played this season after aggravating an earlier pelvic injury during Croatia’s World Cup final march in Russia in July.

    “Dejan looks quite good. He trained completely normal now four times. He worked with the fitness guys before that for 10 days. He looks ready,”Klopp added.

    Klopp said first choice goalkeeper Alisson would be rested with Simon Mignolet taking his place.

    The German, however, said he would field a strong side against Maurizio Sarri’s team.

    “It’s a difficult draw for both teams. It’s not that you think the first two-three rounds you go through somehow, and from the semis on it starts getting exciting…

    “It’s a home game against a very strong side, so it’ll be really interesting.”

    Liverpool returns to Premier League action on Saturday, when they face Chelsea for the second time this week, away at Stamford Bridge.

  • Sarri: Only one Person can stop me from smoking

    Chelsea coach Maurizio Sarri who is a chain-smoker has revealed the only person who can make him quit smoking.

    The 59-year-old Italian, who was known for chain-smoking on the touchline and smoke about five packs every day during his time in Italy, says the only one person who can make him even think about quitting is his father, Amerigo.

    Sarri told Il Mattino: ‘When my father learned I had this offer (from Chelsea), he told me to go to London, that it was the right thing to do.

    Read Also: Sarri: Chelsea match against Newcastle very difficult

    ‘He did ask me to stop smoking at least while I’m here. He is the only one who for five minutes can make me wobble in my convictions.’

    Due to the fact that smoking is prohibited inside English football stadiums, Sarri has been forced to abandon his matchday habit, and only uses what appear to be plastic cigarette filters.