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Andre Villas-Boas reveals Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich ‘disappointed’ by Napoli defeat
The Portuguese once again insisted the 3-1 loss on Tuesday was his fault and not that of the players, while questioning the methods of the British press
23 Feb 2012 20:51:00
By Nathan Lowe
Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas has revealed he was questioned by the club's hierarchy over his tactical decisions in the 3-1 Champions League loss at Napoli midweek.
Juan Mata gave the Blues the lead at San Paolo on Tuesday, but the west London outfit soon found themselves trailing to the Serie A side, with the pressure continuing to build on the 34-year-old.
However, the Portuguese has not only continued to insist there is no issue with the players at Stamford Bridge, but also that he has the full backing of the club's owner Roman Abramovich, despite the Russian being disappointed with the team selection in the first leg defeat.
"I have not spoken to him [Abramovich], I have spoken to persons near to him," Villas-Boas told reporters Thursday.
"He is disappointed about the result and asking questions about how we set up the team and they were duly explained.
"I spoke to the people close to the owner to transmit the message, people like [club director] Michael Emenalo.
"That is the normal way we communicate. He just wants to know the thought process."
The former Porto boss also maintained that it was his responsibility for the defeat in Italy, while also reiterating his disdain for the methods of the British press.
"There is one person who takes responsibility - that is myself," he said. "The players don't have to take it and they shouldn't.
"The press officers have a massive, massive job trying to block the press from getting inside our building," he said.
"It's part of the English culture. The press are very inside everything, they are well-connected and they get access to good stories and bad stories.
"The bad ones I like to put down as false straight away.
"A couple of them have been true recently but you have to accept it and we have to move on from that."
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Juan Mata gave the Blues the lead at San Paolo on Tuesday, but the west London outfit soon found themselves trailing to the Serie A side, with the pressure continuing to build on the 34-year-old.
However, the Portuguese has not only continued to insist there is no issue with the players at Stamford Bridge, but also that he has the full backing of the club's owner Roman Abramovich, despite the Russian being disappointed with the team selection in the first leg defeat.
"I have not spoken to him [Abramovich], I have spoken to persons near to him," Villas-Boas told reporters Thursday.
"He is disappointed about the result and asking questions about how we set up the team and they were duly explained.
"I spoke to the people close to the owner to transmit the message, people like [club director] Michael Emenalo.
"That is the normal way we communicate. He just wants to know the thought process."
The former Porto boss also maintained that it was his responsibility for the defeat in Italy, while also reiterating his disdain for the methods of the British press.
"There is one person who takes responsibility - that is myself," he said. "The players don't have to take it and they shouldn't.
"The press officers have a massive, massive job trying to block the press from getting inside our building," he said.
"It's part of the English culture. The press are very inside everything, they are well-connected and they get access to good stories and bad stories.
"The bad ones I like to put down as false straight away.
"A couple of them have been true recently but you have to accept it and we have to move on from that."
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| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
|
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
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| Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
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