Antonio Rudiger has revealed how a terrifying dressing down from manager Maurizio Sarri was the inspiration behind Chelsea’s stunning 2-0 win over Manchester City on Saturday.
The Blues gave away a one goal lead in midweek to lose 2-1 to Wolves, but followed it up with a masterful performance against the defending champions.
Speaking about the victory, as quoted in the Evening Standard, 25-year-old Rudgier said: “After the Wolves game, he (Sarri) was terrifying. He was going crazy. But that was okay because we shouldn’t have lost this match
“The day after [the telling-off], [Sarri] was very calm and clear-minded.
“He spoke with us and made it clear that we have to believe in ourselves. He wanted us to go into the City game looking for the win.”
OPINION
It’s hard to imagine Maurizio Sarri losing his cool. The former investment banker is such an affable and sophisticated figure that the thought of him going hell for leather in a dressing room rant is not easy to envisage. Perhaps this is why his outburst had such an effect on his Chelsea side. Realistically, they should never have lost against Wolves in midweek, especially from a winning position, and it is easy to see why Sarri was infuriated after a second loss in three Premier League matches. In some respects, City were arguably the best team they could face in the aftermath of such a disappointment. There is no bigger point you can make in English football than beating Pep Guardiola’s side, and the Blues will have needed little firing up beforehand. The way in which Chelsea stifled City and hit them at the most opportune moments suggested a side dedicated to the game plan of their manager, and one who would do anything within their power to win for him. After Antonio Conte and Jose Mourinho both lost the dressing room at Stamford Bridge, that’s exactly what they need right now.