Former Tottenham manager Tim Sherwood has criticised the display of Davide Zappacosta as compared to Victor Moses in Chelsea’s 3-3 draw against Roma in the UEFA Champions League.
Zappacosta was picked by coach Antonio Conte to start in place of the injured Moses against the Italians at Stamford Bridge, and Chelsea appeared to be cruising when they took a two-goal lead before the half-hour mark.
However, Roma pulled a goal back through left fullback Aleksander Kolarov, a goal which inspired a fightback that saw same Kolarov provide the cross for ex-Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko to put Roma 3-2 up.
Eden Hazard scored his second goal of the game to help Chelsea bring scores to 3-3, and Sherwood slammed Zappacosta for allowing Kolarov have a free pass down the right of Chelsea defense.
” Kolarov isn’t the fastest but he left Zappacosta for dead severally. Zappacosta allowed Kolarov too much space and time on the ball, something that Victor Moses won’t do against a player like Kolarov”, Sherwood said during his post-match analysis of the game.
Meanwhile, Antonio Conte has admitted that the change of system did not work as Chelsea were held to a 3-3 draw by Roma on Wednesday night.
Eden Hazard scored twice as Chelsea battled to a 3-3 draw with Roma to stay top of Champions League Group C.
Chelsea had surrendered a two-goal lead to trail 3-2 with 20 minutes remaining after former Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko’s quick-fire double.
But Hazard headed in to prevent Antonio Conte’s side slipping to a third straight loss for the first time under the Italian’s stewardship.
Luiz, who was playing in a midfield holding role, went off injured on 57 minutes with Pedro replacing him and a change in the system allowed Roma to get their noses in front before Hazard headed home.
“It was fair. It was a difficult game against a good team. Above all in the first half we suffered, our performance was good but for sure our football is different than today, ” said Conte.
“We suffered possession and it wasn’t easy in the first half, despite scoring two goals. The change of the system wasn’t good, but when you are in a difficult situation you have to change and sometimes to improvise.
“When we changed in the second half the situation was changing. David Luiz had a little problem in his calf and in this moment I can’t risk my players. We are playing always the same players.”
