Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri has echoed the views of Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino, calling for the Premier League to give their clubs more support in Europe.
Pochettino was aggrieved his side were given a 24-hour disadvantage, in regards to preparation time, over Borussia Dortmund for their Champions League clash on Tuesday – an outlook now shared by Sarri.
What did Pochettino say about the Premier League? Five key things to know…
- Due to TV scheduling and a lack of a winter break, Premier League clubs often have a congested fixture list.
- Pochettino was incensed his side had a 24-hour disadvantage to prepare for their round-of-16 clash against Borussia Dortmund, for both legs.
- Dortmund contested on a Friday night, while Spurs were made to play on Saturday.
- Sarri has now come out in support of Pochettino’s complaints, urging the Premier League to reconsider their scheduling.
- Both managers believe clubs outside the Premier League have an unfair advantage during the latter stages of European competitions.
Spurs ultimately progressed 4-0 on aggregate against the leading Bundesliga club, but their domestic form has significantly waned in recent weeks.
Chelsea meanwhile play host to Dynamo Kyiv on Thursday, before welcoming Wolves to Stamford Bridge on Sunday, and then travelling to Ukraine the following Thursday, which hasn’t sat well with the Italian.
He told reporters: “I think that, in this moment, we played six, seven or eight matches more than the other European teams, and eight matches mean two months with a match during the week.
“Two months without training. So I think that, for an English team, it’s very difficult to be competitive in Europe in March, April or June (not May?).
“Really very, very difficult. Yesterday we saw Real Madrid against Ajax. Ajax didn’t play a match in the Dutch championship in the last round, and Real came into that game after two matches against Barca.
“There is a big difference. I think the Premier League could do something more for the teams involved in European competitions.”
He went on to commend the process adopted by Serie A, suggesting clubs can ask the FIGC for a later fixture date if they had played in Europe during the week.
He added: “If you play in the Europa League in Italy, after the match away you can ask to play on Monday. One day more to rest. I think that’s really very important.
“For example, when we will play in the Premier League after 62 or 63 hours after the match against Dynamo Kiev. I think it’s too early.”
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Could Sarri return to Italy?
The Italian tactician has vowed to fight on, and has enjoyed a resurgence in recent weeks, suggesting his future is no longer on the line, but Roma are reportedly eyeing up a move for the Blues boss following their exit from the Champions League.
Eusebio Di Francesco proved a revelation last season, taking the club to the Champions League semi-final with a dazzling, free-flowing brand of football, but he has struggled to replicate that form this campaign.
The Giallorossi suffered a humiliating 3-0 defeat against Eternal City rivals Lazio at the weekend and have followed that up by crashing out of Europe against Porto on Wednesday night, producing a cumbersome and lukewarm display at the Estadio do Dragao.
As such, Di Francesco may not last the season, and club chairman James Pallotta is believed to be a huge admirer of Sarri, making him his No.1 target should Di Francesco face the axe.
The post Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri urges Premier League to help clubs in Europe appeared first on Squawka News.
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