Soccer-Chelsea's Sarri plays down Kepa row as misunderstanding

Chelsea coach Maurizio Sarri said the refusal of his goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga to be substituted in Sunday's League Cup final was the result of a "big misunderstanding", adding that the Spaniard "was right but in the wrong way".

Arrizabalaga appeared to be injured as he prevented Manchester City's Sergio Aguero from scoring in the closing moments of extra time, and Sarri ordered his substitution before Chelsea went on to lose the final 4-3 in a penalty shootout. But with the change already displayed to the stadium by the fourth official, and Chelsea's reserve keeper Willy Caballero ready to come on, Kepa insisted he was fit to carry on and remained on the field to the visible anger of Sarri.

"It was a big misunderstanding because I understood that he had a cramp. So I didn’t want a keeper (to) go to penalties in that physical condition," Sarri told reporters. "The goalkeeper wanted only to let me know that he was in condition to go to the penalties," the Italian said. "It was only a big misunderstanding. Kepa was right, but in the wrong way."

Arrizabalaga remained on the field for the penalty shootout which Manchester City won 4-3 after the showpiece match ended 0-0 after extra time to retain the trophy. Sarri said he would talk to the Spaniard - who became the world's most expensive goalkeeper when he joined Chelsea for 80 million euros ($90.75 million) last year - about what happened.

"I want to talk with him because he needs to understand that for a misunderstanding we can (get) in trouble, especially with you," he told the reporters. "So I think I have only to explain exactly the situation to Kepa, but without any other problem." Sarri denied suggestions he lost control of the situation.

"The players played exactly the match that we prepared yesterday. So I think that I am in full control of the situation," he said. The Italian, under intense pressure after heavy defeats including a 6-0 thrashing by Sunday's opponents in the Premier League this month, said his tactics worked on Sunday when he ordered his team to play deeper and stop City's flowing style.

"We conceded nothing to the best team in Europe," he added. ($1 = 0.8815 euros) (Reporting by William Schomberg; Editing by Ken Ferris)