SA Mauricio Pochettinocoach of Chelseaand its players need to get back on track after Sunday’s defeat in the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool (0-1 with a goal from Virgil van Dijk at minute 118). Three days later, the Blues face the round of 16 of the FA Cup this Wednesday against leeds (now in Second). The only trophy he can still win Chelsea this season, the first with Pochettino on his bench.
This is what he said Pochettino this Tuesday in a press conference before the match leeds:
How the team fared after the final
“We’re all tired, it’s not easy to recover when you lose the final. But I’m very happy, the players are focused and recovering. If you ask them, they all want to be in the game” (This Wednesday against Leeds (2nd) in round of 16 of the FA Cup).
“We can’t win the Carabao Cup but we have to move forward. I’m happy because the players have reacted well and are in a positive moment.”
About the FA Cup round of 16 against Leeds
“We have to keep our spirits high and move on to another competition. We are facing a very good rival, Leeds, who have won their last eight games, are in a very good moment and it will be very difficult. A historic rival. We understand disappointment of “our fans, but we need them. Leeds will push for 5,000 fans.”
About whether he talked to the owners of the club
“I spoke afterwards, we shared our opinion on the match. We talked about the chance we missed to win the trophy, because we played well for 90 minutes. We created the best chances and we weren’t clinical enough .”
“(The owners) showed their support, after the game Todd [Boehly] sent a wonderful message.”
About the final
“After 90 minutes we were the better team, we deserved to win. We were not clinical enough, you always need a bit of luck. The team was tired, but we went for the game. We put [Christopher] Nkunku, we put it [Mykhaylo] Mudryk, we are refreshing our attack. “We didn’t put defensive players.”
About Nkunku
“He was injured in the final. It was difficult for him, we saw in the preseason, he was scary on the field until he had a knee problem. Now almost eight months have passed. Because of the injuries, he is not the same player. as in Germany. Her potential, yes. But not in the final. She will be out for three or four weeks.”
About Liverpool
“In three or four years under Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool did not win any titles. Look, now they are getting what they deserve. For us, after eight months, to reach the final is a big success. We were there. The young players “They had 90, 120 minutes, now they know what it feels like to play in a final and they will be better with this experience.”
About whether he will have time at Chelsea
“It’s not in my hands. I have a good relationship with the owners, it’s up to them to trust or not. Is it unusual for elite coaches to be given time? It’s unusual: Manchester City, Liverpool. These are example clubs “They won. I’m not asking for anything, but in life you have to look at people who do good.”
On whether he and his players were hurt by the criticism
“I support my players. Of course, we have to accept some criticism. It is the pressure of playing for a team with an incredible history, different from other clubs.”
Source: La Verdad
I’m Rose Herman and I work as an author for Today Times Live. My expertise lies in writing about sports, a passion of mine that has been with me since childhood. As part of my job, I provide comprehensive coverage on everything from football to tennis to golf.
