CLOUGHIE’S OUT TO PUT BITE ON PEP
Sarri: I only realised the depth of the rivalry between these clubs when I saw how a heavy defeat in November destroyed my players MATCH FACTS
Live on Sky Sports from 7.30pm MAURIZIO SARRI only realised the strength of the rivalry between Chelsea and Tottenham when he saw how “destroyed” his players were after their last meeting.
Spurs blew them away 3-1 at Wembley in November to end Sarri’s unbeaten start as Chelsea boss.
And ahead of tonight’s Carabao Cup semi-final first leg, he said: “After the match in the Premier League I realised the real situation [between Chelsea and Tottenham] so of course now this match is more important.
“What made me realise? I saw my players in the dressing room after the match.
“They were destroyed so I realised that the match against Tottenham is a very important match for the club, the fans and the players as well.
“I didn’t know exactly the situation, but now I think I know everything so I think I will be ready and I hope the same for my players.
“They are a very great team, very dangerous team, but we could have been better, especially in the first 20 minutes because we were out of the Tottenham inflicted the first defeat of the season on Chelsea, leaving the Blues bereft match mentally. It can happen, but now we need to play another match.”
The rivalry between Spurs and Chelsea has intensified in recent years, especially since the north Londoners have become a force to be reckoned with.
But with the threat of the animosity spilling over, both sets of fans will be in the spotlight at Wembley.
The Metropolitan Police are expected to issue a “zero tolerance”
is the ninth League Cup match between the sides, and the first since the 2015 final. Spurs have won two, Chelsea have won four with two draws.
clubs are set to meet in a League Cup semi-final for the third time, having also done so in 1971-72 and 2001-02 – the only fixture to be played more often at this stage is Arsenal against Spurs (four occasions).
have won their last two matches against Chelsea, both in the Premier League. They haven’t won three in a row in all competitions since a run of five between March 1961 and September 1963.
Alli has scored more goals v Chelsea (6) in all competitions than against any other opponent. of anti-Semitic chanting warning to all supporters, while there are added concerns given recent incidents involving Chelsea fans.
The increased security will include stewards from Chelsea, and Sarri (left) said: “We need the support of our fans of course, but we would like to have their support for us not against the opponents.”
The all-London semi-final is a clash between two managers who have been widely praised, but are yet to win a trophy to back up all the plaudits.
Sarri said: “Mauricio Pochettino is a very good coach, one of the best at the moment. I agree he has to win a trophy to be considered a top manager. I hope not this one.”
Asked if he has to do the same, Sarri said: “I think it is the same of course. But Pochettino is in Tottenham from four years ago and I am here from six months.
“Here in the first season it is really very difficult for everybody, for Pochettino, four years, for Jurgen Klopp, four years.
“It was really very hard in the first season also for Pep Guardiola so here it is really very difficult to build up a very good team. You need time.” NIGEL CLOUGH has a pace ace with a difference to help take his mind off Burton’s clash with Manchester City.
Clough (below) takes his underdogs to the Etihad tomorrow on a daunting Carabao Cup semi-final mission.
When he tries to mastermind a huge upset, he’s got a No.2 with a difference at his side.
Clough’s beloved pet Vizsla Bobbie never misses a day’s training and can be relied on for a rapid turn of pace.
The fleet-footed Hungarian hunting dog is never far from Clough’s side and he joked: “Kyle Walker might be fast but he wouldn’t catch her, that’s for sure! Pep Guardiola will try to make the second leg irrelevant but a glimmer of hope for us would be nice.”