By Daily Sports on December 10, 2021
Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta has urged his teammates to show an immediate response after falling off the top of the Premier League and finishing a disappointing second in their Champions League group.
The European champions twice surrendered the lead in Russia on Wednesday to draw 3-3 with Zenit Saint Petersburg and end their Group H campaign as runners-up, meaning they could face Real Madrid or Paris Saint-Germain in the last 16.
The frustrating result came after they dropped to third in the Premier League table following Saturday’s 3-2 defeat at West Ham, spoiling their impressive defensive record so far this season. Thomas Tuchel’s men, who host Leeds on Saturday, have now failed to win three of their past five Premier League games.
Azpilicueta has demanded a reaction from Chelsea, who are two points behind new Premier League leaders Manchester City.
“It’s true we are having a tough moment,” he said.
“In the last couple of games the performances have not been very good and that has been reflected in the results. We have to have a reaction. There is still a lot to play for.
“In football you have to accept it, analyse and improve. We need everybody to get that extra percent sharper, as individuals and as a team. Hopefully we can do it from Saturday already. We have to recover this solidity across the whole team.”
“We know we are not at our top level,” added the 32-year-old skipper.
“We have to have a reaction on Saturday in front of our fans, and all together try to get the win and have a good performance from the first minute, and then from there start building our confidence.”
Tuchel faces a headache in midfield. Ruben Loftus-Cheek pulled up with a minor issue in the warm-up in Russia. N'Golo Kante remains out with knee trouble, Mateo Kovacic is isolating after testing positive for coronavirus and Jorginho has a back niggle. (AFP)
•PHOTO: Azpilicueta
Source Daily Sports
Posted December 10, 2021
You may also like...
How Capt. Lawal, Rev. Jesimiel, Coach Emefuna made...
Bolt says dopers must stop or athletics 'will...
Fake Pastors, Imams duped me, promised to cure...
NFF adopts FIFA Transfer Matching System
Hazard ends Liverpool’s perfect run; Arsenal, West Ham...
2020 NBA Draft: Oyedeji Lauds Nigerian Players
West Ham plot Chukwueze summer hijack
Tennis: Stakeholders dream big after Davis Cup promotion
Chelle on Marseille shortlist to replace De Zerbi
Edo Sports Commission boss applauds Niger Delta Games facilities
I could have fought Joshua for £100m — Ferdinand
CAF begins stadium inspection ahead of AFCON 2027
Outrage as World Cup 2026 tickets hit $143,000 on FIFA’s platform
Falcon stars gear up for WAFCON title defence
Nigerian coach in search of viral local high jumper
Ikpefan places 65th in Winter Olympics opener
NSC gives 26 athletes N200m Commonwealth Games grants
Chelle committed to Eagles job – Gusau
Most Read
Rangers International going, going . . . (63,549 views)
Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (54,855 views)
Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (52,764 views)
Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (52,410 views)
Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (52,322 views)
Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (52,239 views)
Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (52,109 views)
NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (51,659 views)
Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (50,829 views)
Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (49,359 views)
Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (47,751 views)
John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (47,214 views)