'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAGAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFQABAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABQb/2gAIAQEAAAAAAnf/xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAE/9oACAECEAAAAFf/xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAE/9oACAEDEAAAAD//xAAeEAACAgEFAQAAAAAAAAAAAAACBAEDBQAREiFCE//aAAgBAQABPwBbEgycY9J9oK2lRcTO2uJmmAsIDGe/XHT2fOp5iuy12DCwhL5MGIbxPmOXUa//xAAYEQACAwAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAgADEv/aAAgBAgEBPwC9AjDM/8QAFxEAAwEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAECEf/aAAgBAwEBPwCLprWf/9k='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#2 Taking off Kovacic
The first substitution by Maurizio Sarri was taking off Mateo Kovacic for Ross Barkley. While in the end, Barkley ended up scoring the equalizer, the substitution did come as a surprise.
The Croatian midfielder was Chelsea's most influential player in the attacking zones. Kovacic was the one who was constantly driving forward with the ball, initiating attacks and creating dangerous situations in the final third. The Real Madrid loanee linked up beautifully with Eden Hazard and played a pivot part in Hazard's best moments in the match
In the post-match press conference, Sarri admitted that Chelsea's performance was not good enough after the 60th minute. It's important to remember that Kovacic was substituted shortly after the clock hit the hour mark.
While the Croatian does not have goals or assists to show for it, he is an extremely important member of Chelsea's midfield. Kovacic provides stability and solidity to Chelsea in the middle of the park which the Blues clearly lost against the Red Devils once he came off.
At the moment, it seems Sarri has a fixed routine of changes he makes within a match. One wonders if being more flexible according to player's performance on the day will serve Chelsea better.
