Chelsea vs BATE Borisov - Sarri to rotate Chelsea squad against BATE Borisov

Posted Thursday, October 25, 2018 by PA

Maurizio Sarri admits he has no choice but to rotate his Chelsea squad for the Europa League clash against BATE Borisov.

Sarri has named strong sides so far in the competition as Chelsea have recorded 1-0 wins over PAOK Salonika and Videoton to top Group L with a 100 per cent record.

But Eden Hazard will sit out Thursday’s clash against the Belarusians with a back injury, as Chelsea attempt to get the Belgium playmaker fit for Sunday’s Premier League trip to Burnley.

Italy midfielder Jorginho will also be rested as Sarri prepares to give rare opportunities to Andreas Christensen and Ruben Loftus-Cheek.

“Tomorrow he (Hazard) is out for sure,” said Sarri.

“He has a back problem. We are trying to solve the problem for Sunday.

“This match is not a big problem, because we have to play after five days, from the last match.

“The problem will be on Sunday, because on Sunday we will play after 65 hours. So we need to change some of them.

“For example Jorginho we need to rest now, because he played 90 minutes the two matches with international team, and then he played for 100 minutes in the last match.

“It’s time to rest for him.”

BATE were thumped 6-0 on their last visit to England in December 2017 when Olivier Giroud scored twice for Arsenal prior to his move to Stamford Bridge.

But BATE boss Alyaksey Baha takes encouragement from the fact that Hungary’s MOL Videoton lost only 1-0 at Stamford Bridge earlier this month.

“We have followed all the games Chelsea have played,” said Baha.

“Videoton played well, had plenty of chances and could have got a different result. They are an example for us.

“We analyse the games (against Arsenal) so we learnt from our mistakes. Now, a year later we are here in England, in London, playing against a top club, and we hope for a better result this time.

“It is kind of good news that Hazard is not playing, but it will still be a very strong line-up.

“Chelsea is the kind of team with so many players that will be capable of replacing Hazard with no problem.”

The influential Mikhail Gordeichuk and Nemanja Milunovic are absent through injury.

Asked if the fact his team, who have won 12 successive Belarusian league titles, have been playing consistently since April represents an advantage or disadvantage, Baha responded: “Our season started much earlier than here.

“But obviously the speed of the game and the level is so much higher in England, and the players here are on a different level.

“We shouldn’t be discussing any advantage that we have.”