LONDON (AFP) - Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga insisted he has full respect for manager Maurizio Sarri after refusing to be replaced in the final stages of his side's League Cup final loss to Manchester City on penalties.
Sarri was visibly furious when Arrizabalaga refused to leave the field after needing treatment, but the Italian coach later claimed his anger was the result of a "misunderstanding".
"At no time has it been my intention to disobey the coach or any of his decisions," Kepa wrote in a statement issued on his Twitter feed.
"I think everything has been misunderstood in the heat of the final part of the match for a title.
"The coach thought I was not in a position to play and my intention was to express that I was in good condition to continue helping the team, while the docs that had treated me arrived at the bench to give the message.
"I feel the image that has been portrayed was not my intention. I have full respect for the coach and his authority."
Arrizabalaga saved Leroy Sane's penalty in the shoot-out, but could have done better with Sergio Aguero's effort that slipped under his body as City retained the trophy 4-3 on penalties after a goalless draw.
Sarri repeatedly gestured at Arrizabalaga to come off, then began to storm down the tunnel in rage before returning to the touchline for the final minutes of extra-time and penalties.
Â
However, speaking after the match, Sarri backtracked as he suggested it was a communication issue that caused the problem.
"In that situation there was a big misunderstanding," Sarri said.
"I understood there was a problem and we needed a change. I didn't find out until the doctor arrived to the bench after a few minutes.
"It was a big misunderstanding. I understood the goalkeeper had cramp and for me he was unable to go to penalties but the problem was not cramp so he was able to go to penalties."
The controversy casts a further cloud on Sarri's future with reports prior to the match suggesting he could be sacked if Chelsea failed to beat the English champions.
"If I was in the dressing room I would expect the manager to come in and deal with it straight away," said former Chelsea captain John Terry in his role as a TV pundit.
There have been several reports that Chelsea's players have lost faith with his methods and Arrizabalaga's behaviour only added to that perception.
The Blues are languishing in sixth in the Premier League, but did put in a far more spirited display than the one that saw them thrashed 6-0 by City just two weeks ago.
"After this match I have to say that I'm sure (I have the backing of the players) because they played exactly how I asked today and I am proud of my players," insisted Sarri.
"We showed to everyone we could become a very solid team. Against Manchester City is not easy so I am really very happy with my players, proud of my players."
The quarter finals of the 2014 FIFA World Cup kick off tonight! Evra, van Persie & Fellaini and Januzaj are still in the hunt! We've felt a void the past two days with no football - well now it's finally back with an action-packed evening of quarter-final action: France vs. Germany and Brazil vs. Columbia.
Liverpool and FIFA Club World Cup - Confusion after Reds
Iran coach Carlos Queiroz set for Colombia switch after Asian Cup Description: Carlos Queiroz, who has been Iran coach for eight rollercoaster years, insisted that he remains committed to bringing Asian football's biggest prize back to the country for the first time in more than 40 years.
Iran coach Carlos Queiroz set for Colombia switch after Asian
Sport > Football > Live Champions League final result: Liverpool lift sixth European trophy after beating Tottenham in Madrid. Salah and Origi scored a goal in each half to give the Reds the win
Football: Fandi Ahmad rues missed chances in U-22s' 1-1 draw with Hong Kong in opening AFC Under-23 qualifier Singapore's Young Lions training at the Geylang field on Feb 25, 2019. ST PHOTO
Fandi rues missed chances in 1-1 draw - theworldnews.net
MILAN: European football governing body UEFA said Friday that the correct anti-racism protocol had not been followed during the Italian league game between Inter Milan and Napoli midweek amid repeated abuse of Senegalese defender Kalidou Koulibaly.
Barcelona's defence were completely caught out by Divock Origi's winner as Liverpool went through 4-3 on aggregate Barcelona striker Luis Suarez said his side "looked like schoolboys" for
Luis Suarez says Barcelona 'looked like schoolboys' defending
Manchester United will be aiming to move into the Premier League's top four when they travel to Fulham, live on Sky Sports from 11.30am on Saturday. United were 11 points off the Champions League
Fulham v Manchester United live in the Premier League - Live
Football: Jurgen Klopp hails his 'talented giants' for stunning win against 'maybe the best team in the world' Related Story Football: Liverpool stun Barcelona 4-0 in second leg to reach Champions
Champions League: These boys are giants, says Jurgen Klopp
Football: Ikhsan Fandi signs two-year deal with Norwegian
Football: Quick Foxes could ambush Pep's men, Football News
Borussia Dortmund vorstand chairman Hans-Joachim Watzke stated that "I have to support Jürgen Klopp 100 percent in this case" because he saw no reason for a fine and denied that Klopp insulted the fourth official. Dortmund finished the 2013-14 season in second place.
Klopp Sold Direct on eBay | Fantastic Prices on Klopp
AD
0 comments:
Post a Comment