Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri was involved in a 'heated exchange' with defender Cesar Azpilicueta in a fiery team meeting following last week's Premier League defeat by Arsenal.The Blues were beaten 2-0 at the Emirates on January 19 and it is claimed the duo had some choice words when the players and staff met for a team meeting on Monday.According to The Times, the Spanish defender, who has been Chelsea captain for large parts of the season, spoke out against Sarri's brutal criticism of the team in his post-match press conference.The former Napoli boss took no prisoners when he laid into his side after their abject display against their London rivals.The Blues succumbed to goals from Alexandre Lacazette and Laurent Koscielny as the hosts enjoyed just their second victory in 14 meetings against Chelsea.Sarri's side are just three points clear of both Arsenal and Manchester United in fourth place, and the Italian let his players know their performance was well below the level he deems acceptable. 'I'm extremely angry, very angry indeed,' he said after full-time, speaking in Italian and using his interpreter to ensure his message got across.'This defeat was due to our mentality. I can't accept it. We had a similar issue against Tottenham in the league. It appears this group of players are extremely difficult to motivate.'From a technical point of view both teams were on the same sort of level, but they had a higher level of determination in both penalty areas, so tactics don't come into it. I can't possibly say I am not partly responsible for the defeat. We have to share it.'This is not a team that is going to be well known for its battling qualities, but we need to become a team that is capable of adapting, possibly suffering for 10 or 15 minutes, and then playing our own football. Today we didn't play our own football.'Azpilicueta is said to have received backing from his team-mate Willian during the row at the club's Cobham training base.There was obviously no need for any repercussions though as Azpiliceuta played 90 minutes in the League Cup semi-final win over Tottenham on Thursday night.Sarri also used the 29-year-old as an example of one of the few natural leaders within the Chelsea team earlier this week so their relationship does not appear to be strained.
Chelsea's Maurizio Sarri in 'heated exchange' with Cesar Azpilicueta - YouTube |
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