Tense home win leaves Sarri craving a smoke
LONDON: New Chelsea coach Maurizio Sarri applauded his players for delivering the highpressure game he wants to establish for much of their rollercoaster 3-2 win over Arsenal on Saturday.
But they had him craving one of his trademark cigarettes during a “horrible” 15 minutes when the Gunners forced their way back into a frenetic Premier League London derby.
In a devastating start to Sarri’s first game at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea pinned Arsenal in their own half and raced into a 2-0 lead within 20 minutes thanks to goals from Spain duo Pedro and Alvaro Morata.
Italy midfielder Jorginho, who Sarri brought with him from Napoli, was commanding in the heart of midfield and Ross Barkley, who barely featured under previous Chelsea coach Antonio Conte, looked strong and confident.
“I think we did really very well in the first 25 minutes today,” Sarri told reporters.
“But we need to continue and press and press and press in the other half. Otherwise, for us it is maybe a problem. I hope that we are able to play 90 minutes like the first 25.”
On the touch-line, Sarri, wearing a baggy blue T-shirt and track-suit trousers, waved his arms in frustration as he implored his players to close Arsenal down in their own half as the Gunners showed signs of fighting their way into the game.
“The 15 minutes at the end of the first half was horrible. I enjoyed the match for 75 minutes, not in the other 15. In the other 15 it was better to smoke, I think,” said Sarri.