Sarri: Awful pitch could cause injury
Dynamo Kiev Chelsea
KO 5.55pm. Chelsea lead 3-0 from 1st leg
MAURIZIO SARRI last night launched an astonishing attack on Dynamo Kiev’s pitch at the Olympic Stadium – labelling it “very, very, dangerous”.
Chelsea, in control after last week’s first leg, were considering making an official complaint to UEFA about the state of the surface. Sarri’s squad trained on it last night and club officials said the pitch was frozen in places, muddy in others and very bumpy.
The Blues manager fumed: “It is very, very dangerous – it is a disaster.
“It is really dangerous to play any football here. It’s really very dangerous for injuries. But this is the situation and we have to accept it.
“We have to play on this pitch. There isn’t another solution.
“I cannot understand why UEFA are so concerned and pay attention to everything like the player lists, and presenting them at a certain time.
“But then we have to play on such a bad pitch. It will be very difficult, also for Dynamo.”
Chelsea staff could be seen testing sections of the pitch, which looked very patchy, while the team trained last night. Brazil midfielder Willian said: “We’ve played on pitches that weren’t the best before, so we have to adapt. It’ll be very difficult.” DYNAMO KIEV v CHELSEA TV TIMES: Live on BT Sport 3 from 5.30pm
Arsenal
v
Rennes KO 8pm 3-1 from 1st leg
LUCAS TORREIRA has warned Rennes that Arsenal have the firepower to turn the tables on them, now Alexandre Lacazette is available again.
Furious Rennes were stunned when Lacazette had a three-game ban for his red card against BATE Borisov reduced to two on appeal this week by UEFA, meaning he can start against them tonight.
The French side are defending a two-goal lead in the last-16 tie after winning the first leg 3-1, but could now face both of Arsenal’s most potent weapons.
Gunners boss Unai Emery paired Lacazette with Pierre-emerick Aubameyang in Sunday’s 2-0 win over Manchester United, with Lacazette (right) involved in both goals and the Gabon hitman scoring one of them.
Aubameyang has now scored 20 times this season, while Frenchman Lacazette has netted 14 goals with 11 assists. Midfielder Torreira (bottom right) said: “We all know how important Alexandre is for us as a group. The more players we have available the better.
“We have some quality players in midfield and up top, and let’s hope we can make that danger pay. Let’s just hope he can help us achieve a good result.
“We do have ARSENAL RENNES TV TIMES: Live on BT Sport 2 from 7.30pm