Sarri: 'People say I'm not suited...'

By Football Italia staff

Maurizio Sarri took Chelsea to the Europa League semi-finals and was disappointed Napoli didn’t join him. “Yet I’m considered a Coach who isn’t suited to European competition.”

The Stamford Bridge outfit had won 1-0 away to Slavia Prague in the first leg, then took a commanding early lead at Stamford Bridge, but fell asleep and eventually it ended 4-3 in London.

It’s still enough to send Chelsea through to the semi-final against Eintracht Frankfurt, although Sarri was irritated by the line of questioning.

“This was my 22nd Europa League game and I’ve won 18. Yet I am not considered a Coach who is suited to European competition,” Sarri told Sky Sport Italia.

His hopes of a Europa League Final against his beloved Napoli are not to be, because the Partenopei went out 3-0 on aggregate to Arsenal.

“I am sorry for Napoli. I know it was difficult, as Arsenal are very tough to play. I gladly would’ve avoided facing Napoli at the San Paolo for a thousand reasons, but it would’ve been wonderful to take them on in neutral turf and challenge together for a huge achievement.

“We’ve had an extraordinary journey so far, but in the knockout rounds, all it can take is a draw to eliminate you. These tournaments earn a lot of focus in the media, but people forget all you need is to hit the woodwork or a VAR call at the 93rd minute to go against you and that’s it, you’re out.”

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