Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri has admitted that today's EFL Cup final is a "vital" game for his side as they look to pick up the first major trophy of the season.
Sarri has come under increasing pressure in recent weeks following a string of inconsistent form, including a 4-0 defeat to Bournemouth and a 6-0 hammering at the hands of Manchester City, who they face again at Wembley this afternoon.
The Italian has a chance to ease some of the scrutiny by avenging that defeat, and he insists that Chelsea know exactly what to expect from Pep Guardiola's holders.
"I am very much looking forward to my first experience of a Wembley cup final. It has not been easy to reach this point. We have had a very difficult journey to the final, with a lot of strong opponents," Sarri wrote in his programme notes ahead of the game.
"Now we have another very difficult test in the final because Manchester City are one of the best teams, not only in England but in Europe. We have already played them twice in the league and we know very well what kind of team they area, what kind of football they like to play.
"Pep Guardiola is a great coach, who I know very well, but today we have to try to find a way to win against each other and I am looking forward to the challenge. It is vital for Chelsea, and for this group of players, to reach these important matches and to have the chance to win trophies.
"We have already played a big game against Manchester City here, in the Community Shield at the beginning of the season, but the situation is very different this time. Then, we were just a few weeks into our work and we did not have all our players available after the World Cup. Now, we have been working as a group for seven months and we have the chance to achieve success together, so it is essential that we approach this game with the best possible mentality."
Sarri is bidding to win the first major trophy of his managerial career at Wembley.
Barney Corkhill
