Maurizio Sarri said Chelsea are “unable to keep concentration” after a 2-1 Europa League win and it’d be “too emotional” to face Napoli at the San Paolo.
There was at least some respite for the Italian tactician, who was crushed 6-0 by Manchester City in the Premier League last week.
His team emerged from Malmo with a 2-1 victory in the first leg of the Europa League Round of 32, with goals from Ross Barkley and Olivier Giroud.
Maurizio Sarri said Chelsea are “unable to keep concentration” after a 2-1 Europa League win and it’d be “too emotional” to face Napoli at the San Paolo.
There was at least some respite for the Italian tactician, who was crushed 6-0 by Manchester City in the Premier League last week.
His team emerged from Malmo with a 2-1 victory in the first leg of the Europa League Round of 32, with goals from Ross Barkley and Olivier Giroud.
“The team shut own completely towards the end and unfortunately at the moment is unable to keep concentration and intensity going for the entire 90 minutes,” Sarri told Sky Sport Italia.
“This problem happened to more or less every Coach in their first year in England, so I hope the situation can be resolved positively. We are one of only two English sides fighting on all fronts, us and Manchester City, so evidently we are doing something right.”
Sarri was asked if he’d like to face Napoli in the Europa League Round of 16.
“I would avoid playing in Naples, if possible, because it would be too strong an emotional response for me to focus on the game. If Napoli-Chelsea means we are both in the Final, however, then I’d be happy for both.”