Kepa Arrizabalaga Refuses To Be Subbed, Maurizio Sarri Fumes - Watch

Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga resisted manager Maurizio Sarri's attempt to substitute him in extra time of the Carabao Cup final against Manchester City on Sunday. A visibly furious Sarri even started making his way towards the tunnel before turning back to take his place on the touchline towards the end of extra-time. Sarri was preparing to bring on reserve keeper Willy Caballero in place of the world's most expensive goalkeeper ahead of a penalty shootout. Arrizabalaga went on to save Leroy Sane's spot kick but Raheem Sterling netted the winning penalty as Manchester City were crowned Carabao Cup champions for a second year running with a 4-3 shootout win.

Kepa Arrizabalaga loses his first game as Chelsea manager??????????#CHEMCI #CarabaoCupFinal #Cityzens #chelseamancity pic.twitter.com/afmRzZIoh9

— IamDrack ???????? (@001Drackinfo) February 24, 2019

Sarri repeatedly gestured at Kepa to come off but was forced to give in.

Photo Credit: AFP

Sarri was visibly furious when Kepa refused to leave the field after needing treatment, but the Italian coach later claimed his anger was the result of a "misunderstanding".

"At no time has it been my intention to disobey the coach or any of his decisions," Kepa wrote in a statement issued on Twitter.

"I think everything has been misunderstood in the heat of the final part of the match for a title.

"The coach thought I was not in a position to play and my intention was to express that I was in good condition to continue helping the team, while the docs that had treated me arrived at the bench to give the message.

"I feel the image that has been portrayed was not my intention. I have full respect for the coach and his authority."

pic.twitter.com/y1moLEZHCq

— kepa Arrizabalaga (@kepa_46) February 24, 2019

However, speaking after the match, Sarri suggested that it was a communication issue that caused the problem.

"In that situation there was a big misunderstanding," Sarri said. 

"I understood there was a problem and we needed a change. I didn't find out until the doctor arrived to the bench after a few minutes.

"It was a big misunderstanding. I understood the goalkeeper had cramp and for me he was unable to go to penalties but the problem was not cramp so he was able to go to penalties."

(With AFP Inputs)

Topics mentioned in this article

Chelsea Manchester City Football Kepa Arrizabalaga