MX23RW : Monday, July 8 13:14:25| >> :120:5937:5937:

Rafael Benitez: 'I need to manage the squad'

Benitez: 'I need to manage the squad'
© PA Photos
Chelsea interim manager Rafael Benitez says that his team must soldier on despite dropping more points in the race for Champions League qualification.

Chelsea boss Rafael Benitez has told his team to pick themselves up following today's 2-1 defeat to Southampton.

The result sees the Blues slip to fourth in the Premier League, just two points ahead of Arsenal.

The Spanish coach defended his team selection, which saw Eden Hazard left on the bench, with the FA Cup and Europa League fixtures fast approaching.

"We are really disappointed," Benitez told BBC Sport. "We were giving the ball away too easily.

"We don't have too many options in some positions so we have to manage the squad.

"We have a game in hand on Tottenham. We have to carry on and be ready for the next challenge."

Chelsea take on Manchester United in the FA Cup on Monday before the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final clash with Rubin Kazan.

ID:76946: cacheID:76946:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:1820:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Chelsea interim manager Rafa Benitez prior to kick-off against Southampton on March 30, 2013
Read Next:
Benitez bemoans lack of depth
>
rhs 2.0
Euro 2024 fixtures header
Tuesday, July 9
 
8pm
Semi-Finals
Spain
vs.
France
Wednesday, July 10
 
8pm
Sunday, July 14
Tables header RHS

Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Germany Germany32107
Q Switzerland Switzerland31205
3 Hungary Hungary31023
4 Scotland flag Scotland30121

Group B

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Spain Spain33009
Q Italy Italy31114
3 Croatia Croatia30212
4 Albania national flag Albania30121

Group C

TeamPWDLPTS
Q England flag England31205
Q Denmark Denmark30303
Q Slovenia Slovenia30303
4 Serbia Serbia30212

Group D

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Austria Austria32016
Q France France31205
Q Netherlands Netherlands31114
4 Poland Poland30121

Group E

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Romania Romania31114
Q Belgium Belgium31114
Q Slovakia Slovakia31114
4 Ukraine Ukraine31114

Group F

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Portugal Portugal32016
Q Turkey Turkey32016
Q Georgia Georgia31114
4 Czech Republic Czech Republic30121


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!