Chelsea defeats Napoli to reach Champions League knockout stage
Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior has spoken out following his side’s thrilling 3-2 triumph against Napoli in the Champions League on Wednesday evening, offering insight into his late tactical decision to withdraw Jamie Gittens from the action, reports BritPanorama.
The victory at the Stadio Armando Maradona secured the Blues a place in the last 16, with the west London club finishing sixth in the league phase standings and avoiding the need for a play-off tie.
Gittens entered the match as a replacement for Andrey Santos at the hour mark, making an immediate impact before being substituted himself in the final minute for centre-back Benoit Badiashile. Chelsea managed to protect their slim lead, a strategy underpinned by the decision to shore up their defense as the match approached its conclusion.
Rosenior praised Gittens for his contribution during his time on the pitch, stating, “I thought Jamie Gittens came on and made a huge difference.” However, he explained that the closing stages called for a defensive adjustment, noting, “I had to take him off at the end. Big [Romelu] Lukaku was on. I needed an extra defender on the pitch in that moment.”
The decision to bring on Badiashile reflected the coach’s determination to secure the lead against the physical threat posed by the former Chelsea striker in the dying moments of the match. Rosenior expressed particular satisfaction with how his players responded to a challenging opening period, highlighting their mental fortitude as the standout element of the performance. “I think the most pleasing aspect was the collective mentality of the group to have a positive reaction to a difficult first half,” he said.
He acknowledged that spacing issues had plagued his team before the interval, prompting adjustments at the break. “The distances were too big in the first half so we corrected it at half-time and made personnel changes. Joao Pedro, a magnificent performance from him,” he added. “I really wanted to be front-footed today and to try to win the game.”
Rosenior also revealed that his squad had been asked to implement an unfamiliar pressing strategy with minimal preparation time, making their achievement all the more impressive. “I’m so proud of the players. Even in the first half, I’m asking them to press in a completely different way, a way they’ve never done before and hardly had any practice at,” he said. “To get through in this competition is the most important thing.”
Looking ahead, Rosenior expressed hope for further memorable European nights with his squad as Chelsea prepares to face West Ham on Saturday. For Napoli, the focus shifts to their Serie A clash against Fiorentina, who are also in action that day. The resilience shown by Chelsea underscores the unpredictable nature of knockout football, a reminder that every match is a new narrative waiting to unfold.
