Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri has admitted that Europa League football is harder for English teams due to the lack of time between Premier League and European fixtures.
The Blues failed to qualify for the Champions League last season and thus fell into the Europa League, winning their first game in the competition on Thursday, beating PAOK 1-0 thanks to a goal from Brazilian playmaker Willian.
Playing on Sunday in the Premier League against fellow London outfit West Ham United, Sarri’s side have had just two days rest before today’s clash at the London Stadium.
Speaking to reporters before the match (via football.london), Sarri detailed the difference between the domestic timetable in both England and Italy, stating that although it isn’t a real problem at present, as the season progresses, Chelsea could begin to struggle.
“I don’t know. For an English team, the Europa League is a very difficult competition.
“For example, in Italy, if I play in Greece on Thursday I can ask to play on Monday night. Not in England. We have to play again in 63 hours, on Sunday morning. I don’t know in the future.
“It’s not a big problem now. We have played only six matches. Now it’s not a problem. I hope to qualify before the last one or two games.”
Chelsea lost their perfect start to the Premier League season on Sunday, drawing 0-0 with West Ham United to remain third.
But Sarri refused to blame the draw on Chelsea’s Europa League outing.
Liverpool are now the only side in the Premier League with a 100% record.
6 games
6 winsNow they’re *definitely* top of the table.
pic.twitter.com/KuHYhhKh4R
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) September 23, 2018
“I don’t know. I don’t think so,” he told reporters when ask if playing on Thursday affected the result (via Evening Standard).
“In this period of the season, I don’t think so. After seven matches only. It’s very difficult to play in the Europa League, but more difficult in March and April, not now.
“I said only that I don’t know why, in England, after an away match in the Europa League to play in the Premier League on the Monday night.
“In Italy, it’s possible. Here I have to play 64 hours after a Europa League match. In this period, it’s not a big problem. In April, maybe.”
Up next for the Blues is a double-header against Premier League leaders Liverpool, first in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday before a league fixture next Saturday.
The post The Europa League is harder for an English team than in Italy, says Sarri appeared first on Squawka News.
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