Maurizio Sarri suggested Chelsea will court disaster in Sunday’s Carabao Cup final against Manchester City if they are gripped by a similar bout of nerves to the one that afflicted them against Malmö, and used his players’ jittery start as evidence of Jorginho’s importance to the team.
The Premier League club progressed into Friday’s draw for the last 16 of the Europa League, easing their passage beyond Swedish opponents still effectively in pre-season with three second-half goals, though the emphatic nature of the 5-1 aggregate scoreline betrayed the reality of the home side’s anxious start.
Sarri complained at his team’s inability to escape the Swedish side’s press, as well as some slack movement of the ball, and warned a repeat would be punished more ruthlessly by City. “It would be a disaster, of course,” said the Italian, whose team suffered their worst defeat in 28 years when losing 6-0 to the champions a few weeks ago.
“We played the first 30 minutes without confidence. Nervous. We were unable to move the ball very fast. We were in trouble on their pressing.
“We are in a difficult moment. We had problems with the fans in the last match at home, so it’s normal for the team to enter on to the pitch without confidence. It’s impossible to play with quality without confidence. To play our football we need confidence if we want to be in control, to have ball possession, to move the ball very fast with one or two touches.”
Jorginho had been rested for this match with the final in mind, and there was a smattering of boos from the home support when the Italy midfielder – whose form has come to personify Sarri’s struggles this term – was introduced from the bench for Ross Barkley 14 minutes from time.
“I think in the first 30 minutes we understood why Jorginho is very important for our team,” said Sarri. “We were in trouble to exit from our half, on pressing. With Jorginho, it’s easier, I think. I hope our fans will be able to understand that Jorginho, for us, is really a very important player.”
