Cristian Stellini
There’s no words to explain a performance like this. The first 25 minutes were the worst I have ever seen. I hope that the system we changed to give us energy was the wrong decision. If it was that, it’s my responsibility. We played with four at the back and if this is the mistake, it’s my mistake.
Does this prove why Antonio Conte played five at the back before?
We never know this until we try to do it. We have to analyse the situation now, it’s too early. If we’re in a rush to explain and analyse everything it’s really early, we have to analyse all together. Because we need to take a breath after a performance like this. We have an important game Thursday and we have to show something different.
Is this the lowest point in your career?
My career? I was an assistant until four games ago. It was a bad performance of course. In 21 minutes we conceded four shots and four goals so worse than this is very difficult to see, but there are reasons. We have to find the reasons why. If it is the system it’s easier to change. We change the system again and we have the result. If it’s not the system we have to analyse why.
It looked like Daniel Levy went into the dressing room after the game, did he speak to you and the players afterwards?
I didn’t see. I didn’t see him.
What happened to Hugo Lloris?
He got injured. He had a muscle problem. He cannot continue the game and we needed to change him.
What did you say to the players at half-time?
That we have to play the second half to save the face, save the face of the team. To find a bit of confidence if it’s possible, to prepare for the next game. So that was important and not to go rushing, to create problems and finish maybe with a red card. Don’t go rash into play and find the confidence we need to play the next game.
How do your respond to this, will you look to change the team as a response or stick by them?
We don’t have many players. Today we had on the bench Ben Davies and Clement Leglet but we use them only for 15-20 minutes, taking a risk. I didn’t want to take a risk with them because obviously the game after 30 minutes was gone. It is strange that after one year, last season we gave them 5-1 and now they gave it us back. This is strange because we have to analyse this season is very tough for everyone but we have to find the energy, with all the possibilities we have. We don’t have a lot of time to do this. We have to be responsible, everyone. We have to take a breath tonight and tomorrow we have to start.
Are you concerned about your own position after a performance like that?
This is a question… I have no answer for this because it is not a question for me.
Did you train with the players in a back four this week?
We trained, yes.
Were you surprised with how badly it went?
Yes, I was surprised.
Was there another problem apart from the formation then?
The other problems are many problems. Because I repeat, this season is not a normal season and maybe many things happen. And so there is not only one thing to care [of], if you want to analyse all the season, to arrive here in a match like this, that you have to play an important match, to reach your target that is top four, and you start like this? Is a surprise for everyone. I hope that the system was the problem.
Do you want to stay in charge for the rest of the season?
Yes.
With Conte’s comments after Southampton about the club’s history and the players, was he right?
Today, what I can say, is we have to apologise to everyone, and I hope that today is my responsibility because changing system was my decision. Like I said, I hope it was this that was the problem.
Can you still finish top four?
Yes.
