Sarri shrugging off Kepa’s sub snub
Chelsea boss blames ‘misunderstanding’ for sideline explosion
LONDON — Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri said his astonishing League Cup final spat with goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga was a “big misunderstanding”.
Sarri was furious when Kepa refused to be substituted after needing treatment in the closing stages of extra time against Manchester City at Wembley on Sunday.
Chelsea eventually lost 4-3 on penalties after a scoreless draw, but it was Kepa’s behavior and Sarri’s raging response on the touchline that stole the headlines.
However, speaking after the match, Sarri appeared to backtrack 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 a cramp and for me he was unable to go to penalties, but the problem was not a cramp so he was able to continue.”
Sarri was incandescent with rage when 24-year-old Kepa appeared to defy him.
He repeatedly gestured at Kepa to come off, then began screaming towards his staff before finally stomping down the tunnel.
Sarri quickly returned to the touchline, but didn’t speak to Kepa before the shootout and had to be restrained from confronting him by Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger.
Asked why he walked down the tunnel, Sarri said: “I needed only to return to be quiet. I think as I say, the goalkeeper understood that I asked for a change because of his physical problem.
“He said, ‘I haven’t got a physical problem’, so he was right, I think.”
Some pundits and fans called for Kepa to be fired by the Blues.
But, quizzed on whether Kepa was guilty of ignoring his instructions, Sarri said: “I have to talk with him but only to clarify because now I have understood very well the situation.”
Kepa, the world’s most expensive keeper after a $94 million move from Athletic Bilbao last August, told Chelsea’s website: “I know if you see it from outside, I don’t know how it went out, it is not the best image.
“I have spoken with the boss. I think it was misunderstood.
“I understand that on television, on social media, they’re talking about this but I am here to explain it, to say that it wasn’t my intention to go against the manager. We have spoken now, and I was only trying to say I’m fine. He thought I wasn’t fine. It was in tense moments, with a lot happening.
“In no moment was it my intention to disobey, or anything like that with the boss.”
Kepa did save Leroy Sane’s penalty in the shootout, but the Spanish keeper’s earlier defiance overshadowed all the match action.
It was the last thing Sarri needed as he fights to keep his job.
Chelsea’s players have reportedly lost faith in the Italian’s methods and Kepa’s behavior only added to that perception.
It had been suggested Sarri was only one loss from being fired, but he deferred questions about his future to the Chelsea board.
“I have to answer like I did before the match,” he said. “You have to ask the club, the same as before.
“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.”
Kompany mocks row
Meanwhile, City defender Vincent Kompany said he was stunned to see Kepa refuse to be substituted.
“Of course I’ve never seen it. I wish I could do it every now and then when I don’t want to get subbed off,” Kompany said.
Kompany said he was glad not to face Kepa’s intended replacement, Willy Caballero, who helped City win the 2016 League Cup final by saving three penalties in a shootout against Liverpool.
“I know how good Willy is on penalties, when we won this competition against Liverpool he was tremendous, he won the penalties for us and it would be another mind game to be played,” Kompany said.
“It didn’t happen and the confidence was there to score the penalties.”