Maurizio Sarri only focused on short-term goals at Chelsea

Maurizio Sarri

Maurizio Sarri’s Chelsea face the first of a series of short-term tests at Malmo on Thursday night as the Italian faces a crucial period which could determine his future as head coach.

The 60-year-old has not heard directly from Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich since Sunday’s humiliating 6-0 loss at Manchester City, the Blues’ opponents in the Carabao Cup final on February 24.

Sarri maintains lifting the League Cup is a realistic target, but the first goals are the Europa League last-32 tie with Malmo, the first leg of which takes place in Sweden.

In between comes Monday’s FA Cup fifth-round meeting with Manchester United, while a Premier League clash with Tottenham follows the Wembley date.

“We need short-term targets, and then a dream in the long-term,” Sarri said.

“It’s not easy to play after a 6-0, but we have to play and we have to play well. We want to win and react immediately.

“On Monday, the target will be to get into the quarter-finals. Then to win the League Cup. It’s very strange to say it after a 6-0, but we want to win.”

 

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