Iconic Moments in Football No.56
This week’s ‘Iconic Moment’ comes from the League Cup Final last year between Chelsea and Manchester City.
With the game goalless and entering the final minute of extra time, Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri decided that he would replace his goalkeeper for the inevitable penalty shootout.
Kepa Arrizabalaga started the game and had been treated for cramp minutes before. When he saw Willy Caballero waiting to come on at the touchline, he began to wave his finger towards the Chelsea bench and shouting “No”.
In a bizarre stand-off from the Spaniard that lasted a full two minutes, he stood firm and refused to be substituted. It was the ultimate act of defiance and showed a distinct lack of respect to his manager.
Kepa won the battle despite his team mate David Luiz coming over to encourage him to follow orders. Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola, who had returned to the club as Sarri’s number two left his place on the Chelsea bench to follow orders and come off the pitch. It was to no avail and Kepa stayed on.
Maurizio Sarri was incensed on the touchline and rightly so. He was shouting at his goalkeeper and was made to look quite foolish in front of a crow of 90,000 fans inside Wembley and the millions watching on television.
The Chelsea manager gave in and left Caballero looking bemused and taking his seat once more on the Chelsea bench. Sarri stormed away from the touchline and began to walk away down the tunnel before returning soon after as the final whistle was blown.
Kepa saved one of the penalties in the shootout but Chelsea went on to lose 4-3. Sarri left the club at the end of the season and Kepa is still at the club.
About Author
