Antonio Rudiger has urged Chelsea fans to put their anger at coach Maurizio Sarri aside on Thursday and focus on helping the team reach the last 16 of the Europa League.

Chelsea, who face Malmo in the second leg of their tie, are back at Stamford Bridge just three days after the supporters rounded on Sarri during the 2-0 defeat to Manchester United in the FA Cup.

The crowd were heard chanting ‘f*** Sarri-ball’ and ‘you don’t know what you’re doing’ at the Italian, who is under increasing pressure to keep his job.

Chelsea defender Rudiger said: “It’s always important the supporters are with us. Sometimes, for example at Manchester City [where they lost 6-0], you can understand they are furious.

“The emotions of the fans, no player can do anything about that. What we can do is get back results, then they’ll be behind us.”

Chelsea are favourites to progress against Malmo, having secured a 2-1 victory in Sweden last week. Tonight’s tie is the first of three matches which will determine whether Sarri stays, with the ­club’s patience wearing thin.

The Blues meet Manchester City in the Carabao Cup Final on Sunday before a League game against Tottenham three days later which will be key to their hopes of finishing in the top four.

Rudiger admits that the showpiece occasion against Manchester City will demonstrate whether the campaign can be a success or not.

He added: “First of all, let’s speak about the Malmo game because it’s important for us to fight to win this competition.

“Then, on ­Sunday, a big game against City at ­Wembley. That will show the truth. That will show our way this ­season. It will be the truth in terms of ­[showing whether Chelsea are close to] keeping up with opponents like City Liverpool and Tottenham. What if it shows we are not that close? Then that is the reality.”

Rudiger says the squad are still ­fully behind Sarri. “You always play for your manager but you want results,” he added. “You want to win. No player likes to have the kind of run we’ve had.”

Which Chelsea players should leave with or without Sarri 24 show all Which Chelsea players should leave with or without Sarri 1/24 Standard Sport’s Simon Johnson runs the rule over who should stay, and who you go from Chelsea’s squad… whether Maurizio Sarri stays or goes... 2/24 Kepa Arrizabalaga Kepa was always going to find it difficult to live up to a £71.6m transfer fee. However, the 24-year-old has plenty of time on his side to improve in the role.



VERDICT: Keep Action Images via Reuters 3/24 Willy Caballero Chelsea will have to decide whether to give the 37-year-old a new deal, but he would be a safe back-up to Kepa for another 12 months.



VERDICT: Keep AFP/Getty Images 4/24 Cesar Azpilicueta Has not had the best campaign at right back but as captain of the side, is clearly a key member of the dressing room.



Azpilicueta can play in a variety of positions and the club made their intentions clear by giving him a new contract until 2022.



VERDICT: Keep AFP/Getty Images 5/24 Davide Zappacosta The Italy international has started just 12 League games since joining from Torino for an initial £23m in August 2017 and hasn’t come close to looking value for money.



VERDICT: Get rid Getty Images 6/24 Antonio Rudiger Is very popular with the fans because he is aggressive in the tackle and shows passion for the cause. The Blues will be looking to make the German international a mainstay of their backline.



VERDICT: Keep REUTERS 7/24 David Luiz Luiz’s form is unpredictable, however, he is one of the few leaders in the current group and Chelsea need him to stick around - hence his recent contract extension.



VERDICT: Keep AFP/Getty Images 8/24 Gary Cahill The most successful player in the ranks has become persona non grata under Sarri and at 33, Chelsea have already decided to let him leave on a free transfer in the summer.



VERDICT: Get rid REUTERS 9/24 Andreas Christensen Chelsea would be making a big mistake if they let the Denmark international defender go. He has a wealth of experience already at 22 and crucially counts towards their home grown quota.



VERDICT: Keep REUTERS 10/24 Ethan Ampadu Has bizarrely played as much for Wales as the Blues this term, but few doubt that he has the quality or temperament to succeed if given the chance.



VERDICT: Keep Action Images via Reuters 11/24 Marcos Alonso It could be argued that Alonso has been the biggest disappointment under Sarri as his form has nosedived since signing a new contract in October.



The left back has been linked with Real Madrid and if a big bid comes in, the hierarchy must consider it.



VERDICT: Get rid Getty Images 12/24 Emerson Should have played a lot more given Alonso’s struggles. While not perfect defensively, deserves to remain part of the squad.



VERDICT: Keep AFP/Getty Images/Glynn Kirk 13/24 N'Golo Kante Chelsea’s highest paid player is surely not going anywhere. If the club are to compete against the elite in future, they can’t afford to lose players like Kante, who is regarded as the best defensive midfielder in the game.



VERDICT: Keep AFP/Getty Images 14/24 Jorginho The creative midfielder has become the scapegoat for Chelsea’s struggles, but his talent just needs to be utilised in a better way. Perhaps Jorginho needs a season to adapt to the pace of the English game.



VERDICT: Keep REUTERS 15/24 Mateo Kovacic Has failed to impress since joining on a season-long loan from Real Madrid and done little to justify turning move into a permanent transfer.



VERDICT: Get rid AP 16/24 Ross Barkley Remains inconsistent, but has shown flashes of what he can do. Can be a useful squad member.



VERDICT: Keep AFP/Getty Images 17/24 Danny Drinkwater Is eating up over £100,000-a-week of the wage bill without playing. Best for all concerned to part ways.



VERDICT: Get rid Getty Images 18/24 Ruben Loftus-Cheek Clearly a talent but a combination of minor injury problems and selection policy has restricted the amount of appearances. Chelsea would be foolish to let him go.



VERDICT: Keep REUTERS 19/24 Pedro Has been a useful acquisition since joining from Barcelona in 2015, but his powers appear to be on the wane.



VERDICT: Get rid Salvio Calabrese/UK Sports Pics 20/24 Callum Hudson-Odoi Will take a lot of convincing due to Bayern Munich’s interest, yet Chelsea must ensure the 18-year-old winger stays and features regularly in matches from now on.



VERDICT: Keep Getty Images 21/24 Willian The time has come to part ways even though the Brazil international has been a loyal servant for six years.



Christian Pulisic is joining in the summer and Chelsea need to make room for another young wideman to re-energise the attack.



VERDICT: Get rid AFP/Getty Images 22/24 Eden Hazard The logic of letting Pedro and Willian go depends on Chelsea’s ability to keep Hudson-Odoi and most importantly, Hazard.



Undoubtedly their best player by some margin and the one opponents fear the most. However, it could be out of their hands if Real Madrid make a big bid.



VERDICT: Keep Getty Images 23/24 Olivier Giroud A very likeable character who has done a fine job following a move from Arsenal in January last year. But Chelsea require a faster forward to bring a different threat to the forward line.



VERDICT: Get rid AFP/Getty Images 24/24 Gonzalo Higuain It is early days in his Chelsea career, but the Argentina international has displayed enough quality to extend his loan by another 12 months.



VERDICT: Keep Action Images via Reuters 1/24 Standard Sport’s Simon Johnson runs the rule over who should stay, and who you go from Chelsea’s squad… whether Maurizio Sarri stays or goes... 2/24 Kepa Arrizabalaga Kepa was always going to find it difficult to live up to a £71.6m transfer fee. However, the 24-year-old has plenty of time on his side to improve in the role.



VERDICT: Keep Action Images via Reuters 3/24 Willy Caballero Chelsea will have to decide whether to give the 37-year-old a new deal, but he would be a safe back-up to Kepa for another 12 months.



VERDICT: Keep AFP/Getty Images 4/24 Cesar Azpilicueta Has not had the best campaign at right back but as captain of the side, is clearly a key member of the dressing room.



Azpilicueta can play in a variety of positions and the club made their intentions clear by giving him a new contract until 2022.



VERDICT: Keep AFP/Getty Images 5/24 Davide Zappacosta The Italy international has started just 12 League games since joining from Torino for an initial £23m in August 2017 and hasn’t come close to looking value for money.



VERDICT: Get rid Getty Images 6/24 Antonio Rudiger Is very popular with the fans because he is aggressive in the tackle and shows passion for the cause. The Blues will be looking to make the German international a mainstay of their backline.



VERDICT: Keep REUTERS 7/24 David Luiz Luiz’s form is unpredictable, however, he is one of the few leaders in the current group and Chelsea need him to stick around - hence his recent contract extension.



VERDICT: Keep AFP/Getty Images 8/24 Gary Cahill The most successful player in the ranks has become persona non grata under Sarri and at 33, Chelsea have already decided to let him leave on a free transfer in the summer.



VERDICT: Get rid REUTERS 9/24 Andreas Christensen Chelsea would be making a big mistake if they let the Denmark international defender go. He has a wealth of experience already at 22 and crucially counts towards their home grown quota.



VERDICT: Keep REUTERS 10/24 Ethan Ampadu Has bizarrely played as much for Wales as the Blues this term, but few doubt that he has the quality or temperament to succeed if given the chance.



VERDICT: Keep Action Images via Reuters 11/24 Marcos Alonso It could be argued that Alonso has been the biggest disappointment under Sarri as his form has nosedived since signing a new contract in October.



The left back has been linked with Real Madrid and if a big bid comes in, the hierarchy must consider it.



VERDICT: Get rid Getty Images 12/24 Emerson Should have played a lot more given Alonso’s struggles. While not perfect defensively, deserves to remain part of the squad.



VERDICT: Keep AFP/Getty Images/Glynn Kirk 13/24 N'Golo Kante Chelsea’s highest paid player is surely not going anywhere. If the club are to compete against the elite in future, they can’t afford to lose players like Kante, who is regarded as the best defensive midfielder in the game.



VERDICT: Keep AFP/Getty Images 14/24 Jorginho The creative midfielder has become the scapegoat for Chelsea’s struggles, but his talent just needs to be utilised in a better way. Perhaps Jorginho needs a season to adapt to the pace of the English game.



VERDICT: Keep REUTERS 15/24 Mateo Kovacic Has failed to impress since joining on a season-long loan from Real Madrid and done little to justify turning move into a permanent transfer.



VERDICT: Get rid AP 16/24 Ross Barkley Remains inconsistent, but has shown flashes of what he can do. Can be a useful squad member.



VERDICT: Keep AFP/Getty Images 17/24 Danny Drinkwater Is eating up over £100,000-a-week of the wage bill without playing. Best for all concerned to part ways.



VERDICT: Get rid Getty Images 18/24 Ruben Loftus-Cheek Clearly a talent but a combination of minor injury problems and selection policy has restricted the amount of appearances. Chelsea would be foolish to let him go.



VERDICT: Keep REUTERS 19/24 Pedro Has been a useful acquisition since joining from Barcelona in 2015, but his powers appear to be on the wane.



VERDICT: Get rid Salvio Calabrese/UK Sports Pics 20/24 Callum Hudson-Odoi Will take a lot of convincing due to Bayern Munich’s interest, yet Chelsea must ensure the 18-year-old winger stays and features regularly in matches from now on.



VERDICT: Keep Getty Images 21/24 Willian The time has come to part ways even though the Brazil international has been a loyal servant for six years.



Christian Pulisic is joining in the summer and Chelsea need to make room for another young wideman to re-energise the attack.



VERDICT: Get rid AFP/Getty Images 22/24 Eden Hazard The logic of letting Pedro and Willian go depends on Chelsea’s ability to keep Hudson-Odoi and most importantly, Hazard.



Undoubtedly their best player by some margin and the one opponents fear the most. However, it could be out of their hands if Real Madrid make a big bid.



VERDICT: Keep Getty Images 23/24 Olivier Giroud A very likeable character who has done a fine job following a move from Arsenal in January last year. But Chelsea require a faster forward to bring a different threat to the forward line.



VERDICT: Get rid AFP/Getty Images 24/24 Gonzalo Higuain It is early days in his Chelsea career, but the Argentina international has displayed enough quality to extend his loan by another 12 months.



VERDICT: Keep Action Images via Reuters

Chelsea have lost five of their last 10 matches, which included a 4-0 defeat at Bournemouth as well as the club record 6-0 Premier League loss against Manchester City.

Cesc Fabregas, who left Chelsea for Monaco last month, has backed the club to end the season on a high.

He said: “It’s difficult to experience 4-0 defeats, 6-0 defeats, but I believe in this team. I’m sure they can still win titles this year. They just need to put things together because now is the right time to do it.”