Maurizio Sarri knows that a positive response is required on Thursday night when Chelsea welcome Malmo to Stamford Bridge for the second leg of their Europa League last-32 tie.
The Blues were knocked out of the FA Cup by Manchester United on Monday evening and must now pick themselves up for this return match with Malmo, which they lead 2-1 from the opening 90 minutes last week.
Chelsea boss Sarri is under huge pressure following a poor run of results, but he is unlikely to completely overhaul his squad for this European clash, despite it coming just a few days before the EFL Cup final with Manchester City.
Despite coming under fire from a large section of Chelsea supporters for his tactics and playing style, which is clearly not working, Sarri seems unlikely to change anything ahead of Sunday’s showdown with Man City.
That could mean the Blues fielding the same XI that started against Man United in the final at Wembley, so this is a good opportunity to give certain key men – Eden Hazard and Antonio Rudiger, to name just two – a breather.
With the last-32 tie still in the balance, though, Chelsea cannot afford to make mass changes. Olivier Giroud was used through the middle in the first leg and scored what proved to be the winner, so after his rest against United he should come back in.
Callum Hudson-Odoi is also in contention for a recall on the left of the front three, with Willian – who has two goals and three assists in the Europa League this term – an option on the right.
Loftus-Cheek remains doubtful with a back injury, meanwhile, and Cahill and Drinkwater are also expected to miss out, though neither were likely to play a part anyway.
