Thibaut: We didn’t fight
THIBAUT COURTOIS admits Chelsea lost their “fighting spirit” after being railroaded in Rome from just 39 seconds in.
Stephan El Shaarawy struck the instant opener before his second and Diego Perotti’s goal denied Antonio Conte’s side the win that would have taken them into the last 16.
Chelsea may still control Group C with two games left but if this rout – five days before Manchester United visit in the Premier League – doesn’t convince the board more quality is needed then nothing will.
Keeper Courtois said: “We felt good at half-time because we played well.
“But I don’t know why in the second half we dropped our fighting spirit and our mentality.
“We have to fight back on Sunday and show the fans this was an off day.
“It’s hard to say what the problem is. Last season there were games where I had nothing to do and other games I had four or five saves.
“This season every game is a hard game and we have to find the mentality of clean sheets and not conceding goals.”
Ahead of the clash one Italian daily newspaper carried the front-page headline “Hunger of the Wolves” – a reference to Roma’s lack of fear after drawing 3-3 in London.
And they needed 39 seconds to start tearing a toothless Chelsea apart.
Ever since losing N’Golo Kante to a hamstring injury the Blues have been there for the taking.
Conte was unwilling to risk the Frenchman last night but had he been on guard in front of the back four it is a fair bet El Shaarawy would not have been able to ram home Edin Dzeko’s knockdown.
And surely he’d have cut out Radja Nainggolan’s ball nine minutes before the break instead of letting it drift past him as Antonio Rudiger did with Shaarawy pouncing again.
Perotti then took the ball from Aleksandar Kolarov in 63 minutes, left Pedro trailing and rammed into the corner.
Conte said: “When you concede three goals you must be worried because it means something doesn’t work.
“It was a bad night for us. I only want one night like this and we must work together this week.”