MX23RW : Wednesday, December 11 20:43:27| >> :60:1303:1303:
[monks data]
Attendance: 20,312
Malmo
Europa League | Round of 32
Feb 14, 2019 at 8pm UK
 
Chelsea logo

1-2

FT(HT: 0-1)
Barkley (30'), Giroud (58')

Zola urges Chelsea to stick together to put their season back on track

The Blues host Manchester United in the FA Cup fifth round on Monday.

Gianfranco Zola says Chelsea must unite to rectify their stuttering season ahead of a crucial run of fixtures.

The FA Cup holders host Manchester United in the fifth round on Monday evening, before the second leg of their Europa League tie with Malmo and next Sunday's Carabao Cup final against Manchester City.

Maurizio Sarri's men then welcome London rivals Tottenham to Stamford Bridge hoping to boost their chances of Champions League qualification having dropped out of the Premier League top four after last weekend's 6-0 thrashing by champions City.

Chelsea were heavily beaten at the Etihad
Chelsea were heavily beaten at the Etihad (Nick Potts/PA)

The heavy defeat against Pep Guardiola's side followed a 4-0 loss at Bournemouth in the club's previous away game.

Asked if Chelsea's players are demonstrating sufficient desire to turn things around, assistant coach Zola replied: "Of course. Nobody is pleased when you lose games the way we did recently. Not only the players, but the coaches and everyone.

"It's a moment when we've been alternating the results, going from one good performance to a bad one. We don't like.

"We have to be consistent. We all know this, and it's important everyone understands the situation and is working on it: coaches, players and club.

"This is important. The unity facing the challenge will make the difference."

Chelsea bounced back from their nightmare trip to the Etihad Stadium by securing a slender 2-1 aggregate lead in the first leg of their European tie with Malmo.

Sarri's players were given the day off on Friday after arriving back in the UK in the early hours.

The Italian will hope the rest reaps the desired reward as he prepares for what could be a season-defining period, starting with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's reinvigorated United team in a repeat of last season's FA Cup final.

Gianfranco Zola (centre) hopes Chelsea can find their feet again
Gianfranco Zola (centre) hopes Chelsea can find their feet again (Nick Potts/PA)

"We know it's a crucial moment. We have some very important matches," added Zola.

"It's an important moment, very challenging. The key will be to face each task only thinking about that particular task.

"The first will be United, and we come into this game after a good performance in the Europa League. That's the most important thing. Then we'll think about City and Tottenham."

ga('create', 'UA-72310761-1', 'auto', {'name': 'pacontentapi'});
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'referrer', location.origin);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension1', 'By Ed Elliot, Press Association Sport');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension2', '501c650f-376c-41a8-adc4-9c312ffa0005');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension3', 'paservice:sport,paservice:sport:club-news,paservice:sport:football,paservice:sport:uk,paservice:sport:world');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension6', 'story');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension7', 'composite');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension8', null);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension9', 'sport:football');
ga('pacontentapi.send', 'pageview', { 'location': location.href, 'page': (location.pathname + location.search + location.hash), 'title': 'Zola urges Chelsea to stick together to put their season back on track'});

ID:350516: cacheID:350516:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:8355:
Written by
P A
No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Callum Hudson-Odoi after Chelsea's FA Cup win over Sheffield Wednesday on January 27, 2019.
Read Next:
Hudson-Odoi is 'always on the edge of the team', insists assistant boss Zola
>
Read more about Gianfranco Zola Football
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS

League Phase

TeamPWDLPTS
1Lazio541013
2Frankfurt541013
3Anderlecht532011
4Galatasaray532011
5Lyon531110
6Rangers531110
7Ajax531110
8Spurs531110
9FCSB531110
10Ferencvaros53029
11Man Utd52309
12Plzen52309
13Olympiacos52218
14Fenerbahce62228
15Bodo/Glimt52127
16Real Sociedad52127
17AZ52127
18Midtjylland52127
19Braga52127
20Roma51316
21Besiktas52036
22Porto51225
23Union SG51225
24Hoffenheim51225
25Slavia Prague51134
26PAOK51134
27Elfsborg51134
28Malmo51043
29FC Twente50323
30M. Tel Aviv51043
31Qarabag51043
32Ludogorets50232
33RFS50232
34Nice50232
35Athletic Club00000
36Dynamo Kiev50050


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!