Wow. Here at The Sportsman we are still attempting to come to terms with what just happened during the closing stages of the League Cup Final.
Man City lifted the trophy, but that’s not even half the story.
If you haven’t heard by now - CLICK HERE - Chelsea keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga caused absolute outrage after he refused to be substituted, much to the fury of his manager Maurizio Sarri who at the time appeared powerless on the touchline.
The Italian, like everyone else, was flabbergasted at the keeper. He reacted by hurling his bottle on the ground, before marching off in the direction of the tunnel, only to turn back and return to the dugout.
In the end Kepa stayed on the pitch, and then Chelsea lost on penalties, with Kepa letting in four out of the five penalties he faced.
So, what on earth did Sarri make of the fiasco?
"It was a big misunderstanding," said Sarri who appeared to want to play down the incident (quotes via Football.London)
"I wanted Caballero on the pitch but the goalkeeper wanted to let me now he was in condition to go to the penalties.
"It was a misunderstanding. Kepa was right, but in the wrong way he conducted himself.
"I want to talk with him as he needs to understand we can get in trouble, especially with you (the media).
"I thought Kepa was unable to go to penalties. I wanted Caballero on the pitch because I was afraid cramp., but the doctor explained it wasn’t cramp."
The shocking incident overshadowed what was otherwise a very good performance from Chelsea who restricted free-scoring Man City from scoring for 120 minutes of football. But ultimately the Blues ended the day empty handed, with more questions than answers.
Meanwhile, Sarri also responded to a question on his future at Stamford Bridge.
"I don’t know. You have to take the phone and ask the club. I can only answer with my opinion. Today I am really happy as my feeling is we’re improving. We could become a very solid team. I am really happy with the performance."
â›” Kepa refuses to be substituted
😡 Sarri loses his cool, throws a bottle and storms off down the tunnel!
Have you ever seen anything like this in a cup final before?!? 😲😲
