Coin-throwing fans marred the FA Cup for the second consecutive day on Sunday with Chelsea supporters under fire after an incident during their 5-1 defeat of Manchester City on Sunday.
Advertisement
The Spaniard pointed out that a full-strength Blues side had beaten Newcastle last weekend just three days before their Champions League match against Paris Saint-Germain – the same gap between Sunday’s game and City’s first leg against Dynamo Kiev.
“I always take the best decision for the club”, he added.
On Saturday, holders Arsenal also left out top names in their 0-0 draw with second-tier Hull City, who themselves rotated their squad, while another Premier League team Bournemouth also fielded a much-changed side that lost to Everton.
“I have 13 players (fit), I can not take the risk to have one player more injured” Pellegrini said, when asked if he had devalued the FA Cup by fielding a weakened team.
He said: “It was the correct decision for the club”.
The Dutchman would love to sign off with another Wembley victory and said Chelsea are targeting success in the cups after a poor season in the Premier League.
“I am happy for the team, happy with the performance and that I got another goal”. Today we couldn’t because I think we have more important things at this moment. If we continue in the FA Cup, we don’t have time to have games postponed to play for now until the end of the season.
“After that, we threw away the game in five minutes by conceding two goals too easily”.
Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea will have a scan on a knee problem he suffered warming up for their 2-1 Europa League defeat by Danish side Midtjylland on Thursday. “Those people, they should not come into stadiums”.
They say Mauricio Pochettino is the golden boy but even he wouldn’t have been given time if recent history and current speculation are anything to go by.
Advertisement
He said: “If I said we are going to go toe-to-toe with Manchester United, match them right up, hit possession in the final third and pin them right back, they’ll think I’m bananas”. If I have 20 players then maybe I can.
