Blues will bounce back from City nightmare,

MAURIZIO Sarri says last Sunday’s humiliating loss at Manchester City did not prompt direct contact from Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich.

The Blues’ 4-0 loss at Bournemouth last month was Chelsea’s worst since September 1996, until City inflicted further embarrassment on Sarri’s side, who suffered their biggest defeat in 28 years.

Following the Etihad Stadium setback, Sarri told an Italian broadcaster that he “never” speaks to Abramovich, an owner not renowned for his patience.

Speaking ahead of tonight’s Europa League last-32 first leg with Malmo in Sweden, Sarri in- sisted his comments had been mistranslated when asked if he had spoken to Abramovich.

“No, not this week — not in the last three weeks,” Sarri (right) said. “It depends on the president, I think.

“I didn’t say never. Not very often, but not never. The interview was in Italian and in Italian I am better than you.

“I’d like to speak with somebody in the club, not necessarily the owner. I usually speak with Marina (Granovskaia, the director) and for me it’s enough.”

There has been plenty of discussion with his players.

A 50-minute dressing room inquest followed the loss at Bournemouth on January 30, with an hour-long conversation held on Monday at Chelsea’s Cobham training ground.

Sarri has been critical of his players’ motivation, especially after the loss at Arsenal. He insisted motivation was not the issue at City, but the problem was psychological.

He added: “In my opinion, the last game was not a problem of motivation. We were not able to react to the first difficulty during the match because, in the first four or five minutes, we started well.

“Then, after the first goal, we were not able to react. So the problem is different.

“But it’s always a mind problem, a mental problem, so we need to solve them.” Chelsea face a crucial period for their season — and, potentially, Sarri’s future following his arrival as Antonio Conte’s successor last July.

The Blues face Malmo either side of Monday’s FA Cup fifthround clash at home to Manchester United.

The Carabao Cup final with Manchester City follows on February 24 before a Premier