Chelsea manage, Sarri has given his verdict on the “misunderstanding” that took place when keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga refused to leave the field during Chelsea’s Carabao Cup Final defeat to Manchester City on Saturday.
As the game approached a penalty shootout following a 0-0 draw, Sarri tried to bring on substitute goalkeeper Willy Caballero for Arrizabalaga, who appeared injured moments before.
Arrizabalaga refused to leave the field, which annoyed Sarri who angrily stomped down the tunnel only to return later.
Chelsea eventually lost the ensuing penalty shoot-out 4-3, and the Chelsea manager discussed the matter at the end of the game.
“It was only a big misunderstanding, Kepa was right, but in the wrong way I think, in the wrong way in the way he behaved and conducted himself, but mentally he was right, he was able to go to penalties.
“He needs to understand that for misunderstanding we can get in trouble, especially with you [media]! I only have to explain exactly the situation with Kepa without any other problems.
“I wanted Caballero on the pitch because I was afraid he had cramp. So with the cramp I think you are unable to go to pens, but the doctor explained to me it wasn’t cramp, so he was able.”
“You have to ask the club. Here I am really very happy, I think we are improving, we have improved a lot [last three matches]. Today we showed to everyone we could become a very solid team, because we conceded nothing to our opponents, and against Man City that is not easy.
“I am really very happy and proud of my players. The performance was really very good against, in my opinion, the best team in Europe.”
He then said in his post-match press conference: “I think that if you saw the match, you can understand very well that today the players played exactly the match that we prepared yesterday.
“So I think I am fully comfortable of the situation. So now I’d like to speak about something else, about our way of football today, because it was a little bit different from other matches.