Chelsea FC Post-Match Quotes: ‘It was good promotion for soccer in the US’
Chelsea FC took on FC Barcelona last night in the last of their three stateside pre-season friendlies. Having lost the first one 4-2 against the New York Red Bulls, the Blues bounced back to defeat PSG on Saturday with the help of penalties. They matched the result last night following a 2-2 draw with the Spanish champions.
Speaking after the game, Blues boss Jose Mourinho didn’t have much to say about the fixture itself although he enjoyed it and was glad that both sides put on such a spectacle for the US soccer fans.
"It was 2-2; it could have been 4-4. The penalties mean nothing for us, nothing for Barca but for the people it means a lot. The 70,000 or so people that were here go home happy. It was good promotion for soccer in the US and good for the promotion of our clubs."
The match was undeniably entertaining. The first half was end to end action, with plenty of chances for both teams while the second half wasn’t much different. Even though it was pre-season, a meeting between the champions of the two biggest leagues in the world needed to deliver, especially in front of a packed FedEx Field in Washington DC.
There was some great skill on show, with Eden Hazard’s opening goal matching the quality of any goal that I’ve ever seen. A Lionel Messi-like dribble took him past three defenders before he applied a neat finish into the bottom corner. Had this been a competitive fixture, it would undoubtedly be a shoo-in for goal of the season.
Both Barcelona goals weren’t too shabby either, do check out the highlights down the bottom.
Meanwhile, in a worrying development for Blues fans, Diego Costa decided to take a seat mid-way through the second half and was immediately taken off. Gary Cahill was also involved in a nasty collision while heading in Chelsea’s second goal to level it at 2-2. Mourinho provided updates on both players’ situation.
"Cahill has a chance of a broken nose, maybe yes, maybe no. If no, perfect. If yes, he will get a mask tomorrow to be ready for Sunday! Diego felt a little thing in his hamstring. We believe it is just a feeling, no more than that, but we have to wait."
What’s that sound? Oh, it’s just the sound of Chelsea supporters tearing their hair out. While the positive news is that Cahill will be ready for Sunday’s Community Shield no matter what, the overwhelmingly negative news is that Diego Costa’s hamstring is still giving him issues.
Costa put in a good shift last night, chasing around the field, but evidently his effort may have been a bit too much so early into the campaign. Mourinho’s coyness is even more worrying. If Costa was fine and it was perhaps just a minor niggle, the boss would have said so. Now anyone associated with Chelsea will be holding their breath while awaiting further news.
However, overall Mourinho was happy with the work-out and just generally enjoyed what was a great occasion.
"The crowd was beautiful. The blue guys and the Barcelona people were together. There was lots of colour…I thanked Luis Enrique a lot for what they gave us. It was just what we needed"
The Blues will now be preparing for Sunday’s season curtain-raiser against Arsenal at Wembley Stadium. (Serious) football is nearly here.
Next: John Stones, Alex Telles And The Latest Chelsea FC Transfer Rumours