LONDON • Chelsea's N'Golo Kante has warned his team to cut out their sloppy second-half performances as the Blues look to boost their bid to finish in the Premier League's top four against Burnley today.
Maurizio Sarri's side advanced to the Europa League semi-finals last Thursday with a 4-3 win over Slavia Prague at Stamford Bridge.
But what should have been a stroll into the last four after the hosts raced into a 4-1 half-time lead ended up as a tense finish when Chelsea let Slavia score twice early in the second half.
It was not the first time they have shown a lack of concentration after the interval this term, with Liverpool also scoring twice in the second half to beat them 2-0 just days earlier.
Everton did exactly the same in another Chelsea defeat last month and France's World Cup-winning midfielder Kante admits his team cannot afford to continue that alarming trend if they are to qualify for next season's Champions League via a top-four finish.
Insisting that the Blues are working to resolve those second-half shortcomings ahead of today's home league match against Burnley, Kante said: "It's just something that has happened many times this season and something we need to manage a bit better. But we still have to work on that."
Chelsea are chasing a top-four finish but, if they fall short, winning the Europa League would offer a secondary route into the Champions League.
And Kante believes completing that Europa League mission would turn Chelsea's turbulent first season under Sarri's leadership into a success.
"We can make the season beautiful by winning the Europa League," the 28-year-old said.
"That's the only title we can win now, so it would be great to win the Europa League.
"I think at the beginning of the game, it was a good feeling to score three goals (apart from a Slavia own goal). The most important thing was to qualify.
"We'll go into the semi-final with confidence and we hope to qualify for the final."
Chelsea playmaker Eden Hazard should be fit for the Burnley clash despite coming off against Slavia with a second-half knock.
Blues defender Antonio Rudiger is expected to miss out again due to a knee issue.
Burnley head to the Bridge with their Premier League safety almost secured and Clarets boss Sean Dyche is intrigued to see how teenage winger Dwight O'Neil copes with his growing reputation.
O'Neil has been linked with Arsenal, Everton and Newcastle after playing a key role in Burnley's climb away from the relegation zone.
"He's certainly in a balanced environment here, where I can't see him running away with any outside noise," Dyche said.
"He seems to be quite steady and enjoying his football.
"That's what I want him to do, play with a smile on his face and enjoy the challenge."
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Malcom was handed a rare start for Barcelona on Tuesday night, and he grabbed his opportunity with both hands with a decisive role against Villarreal. The Brazilian ace has made just 16
Barcelona v Cultural Leonesa Match Report, 05/12 - goal.com
Messi notches 50th career hat-trick as La Liga leaders Barcelona twice come from behind to beat Sevilla The Argentine loves to score against Sevilla as he has already netted 36 goals in 35 games
Lionel Messi All 253 Goals in La Liga New Record HD - YouTube
Currently sitting at 3-7, things are not going well for the Cleveland Cavaliers. Their offseason acquisition of Andrew Bynum isn't looking overly hot. Their shocking selection of Anthony Bennett
As Davis trade talks heat up, young Lakers looking for
Palace rout Leicester to step up pressure on Puel | Pictures
Jaguars ban four fans who threw objects in Seahawks game. The Jacksonville Jaguars announced officials have banned four fans responsible for throwing objects during Sunday's game at EverBank
What happens when you are banned for life from a baseball
Neymar will miss both legs of Paris Saint-Germain's upcoming Champions League last-16 tie against Manchester United after the French club Neymar to miss Man Utd tie after being ruled out for
Ten-man Schalke draw blank ahead of Manchester City clash in Champions League Schalke are winless in their last three Bundesliga games and sit just above the relegation places in 14th spot. Share
Football: 10-man Schalke draw blank ahead of Man City clash
Get ready to swipe that credit card! Chelsea Houska FINALLY revealed some of her beauty products that she uses. Over the years, the Teen Mom 2 star has become a beauty icon on MTV thanks to all
Callum Hudson-Odoi: Chelsea 'confident' teen sensation will
On Teen Mom 2, Chelsea takes her 6-year-old daughter Aubree to the eye doctor's where she's told she needs glasses. She gets her more than one pair.
Chelsea Houska Reveals The Makeup Products She Uses & Fans
Crystal Palace star Wilfried Zaha has been given a one-match ban by the Football Association for improper conduct after sarcastically applauding referee Andre Marriner. Zaha was punished following
Palace's Zaha banned for referee sarcastic clap - Pulse Nigeria
Handsome payouts for Mourinho - three sacks full, Football
0 comments:
Post a Comment