Kepa Arrizibalaga has released an official statement after a row with Maurizio Sarri.
Manchester beat Chelsea in the League Cup finals in penalties which saw Pep Guardiola securing his third accolade with the Citizens after triumphing the League Cup and Premier League last term.
It was a tense game and Maurizio Sarri would have felt that his side deserved more following an exceptional show. It was a tough game, but there was a moment of controversy when Kepa Arrizibalaga decided to stay on the field despite Chelsea boss making a substitution in the second half of the extra time.
During the post-match press conference, Maurizio Sarri said that he had a big ‘misunderstanding’ between him and Kepa Arrizibalaga. The Chelsea boss thought that the Spanish International was not able to sustain his cramp which forced the former Napoli manager to make a move.
Maurizio Sarri says the Kepa substitution confusion was ‘a big misunderstanding’ because he thought the player had cramp. However he says Kepa was right that he could continue although the way he went about it was wrong. Sarri says he needs to talk to Kepa now. #CHEMCI
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) February 24, 2019
Here’s Maurizio Sarri on Kepa, defeat on penalties and his side’s performance…#CHEMCI
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) February 24, 2019
“It was a big misunderstanding. Kepa was right, even if the way he conducted himself was wrong. Mentally he was right, he was able to go to penalties, but I only realised everything when the doctor was able to come to the bench, not before. I was really angry.” said Sarri.
The Chelsea shot-stopper received a lot of criticism from his own set of fans after deciding to protest against his own manager. But, he took to social media to release an official statement on this incident which was the centre of attraction in this game.
— kepa Arrizabalaga (@kepa_46) February 24, 2019
.@Kepa_46 says he wasn’t disobeying Maurizio Sarri at the Carabao Cup final…#CHEMCI
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) February 24, 2019
The official statement read
“Upset and sad for not being able to take the title, we fought until the end against a great team. We will continue working to be stronger.
I would also like to clarify some facts of today’s match:
First of all I regret how the end of the match was portrayed. At no time has been my intention to disobey the coach or any of his decisions. I think everything has been misunderstood in the heat of the final part of a match for the title. The coach thought I was not in a position to play on and my intention was to express that I was in good condition to continue helping the team, while the docts had treated me arrived at the bench to give the message. I feel the image that has been portrayed was not my intention. I have full respect to the coach and his authority.”
It was a tough moment and Kepa deciding to stay on has painted him with criticism, but the coach and player have now clarified on this bizarre incident.
