Azpi: 'We are Chelsea, a club that wants to win everything'
By Paul Lagan at Wembley Stadium
Skipper Cesar Azpilicueta was naturally disappointed by Chelsea's FA Cup heartache at the hands of arch rivals Liverpool.
He said: "It's difficult of course. I’d like to have had another result. Of course we are disappointed to lose.
"We expected a tight game. The last games against Liverpool have been draws. We knew that we would have our chances. They are a team who create a lot as well. Sometimes you need to get the momentum. We didn’t cross the line to win the game.
And what about that shootout?
"When we arrived to the penalty shoot-out, we tried to do the best we can. We were ready for it. Unfortunately, this time it didn’t happen again. It’s football, it is hard to take. Somehow yo have to resolve the game? It is true that in the last two games (against them) we were not in the winning circle.
He and Mason Mount missed the spot kicks that handed the Reds the cup.
How was Mount feeling?
Protecting his young team-mate, he said: "For me as well. I missed my penalty as well. It’s not just Mason.
"We we are all together here. We had the list (of takers) and we all feel confident and we want to shoot. This time it happened. I’m sure Mason will have a lot of chances. He’s a young player. I’m sure he will….(be okay). It’s part of football.
"Sometimes it’s true that it looks like it is but of course we are the first ones who are hurt. We want to do our best, we want to score the penalty and make our fans happy. But unfortunately it didn’t happen. We have to put our heads up and go for the next one."
Once again it was 0-0 after extra time, but and Azpilicueta talked of the difference as fine margins.
He said: "We got over the line in the Champions League, the Super Cup, the Club World Cup. It’s the highest level. There is a fine line where two centimetres can be the difference between hitting the post and going out, or hitting the post and going in. "Sometimes it’s like this. It’s difficult to describe because now the level in football is higher and higher. The margins are shorter and every detail counts. Of course it hurts when you arrive to penalties after two such big games against Liverpool in the final and to lose.
Those cup win and third in the league doesn't make it a bad season does it?
"Today it will feel bad because we go to arrive at the end of the season to win trophies. It’s true that we got two trophies, the Super Cup and the Club World Cup which we have to appreciate as well. It is the first time we have won the Club World Cup in the history of the club and the first Super Cup for many years since many years ago.
"So of course when you arrive here and lose two finals, you are disappointed. We now have two games and six points to finish third I don’t know what to say. Today I see everything negative."
With new owners now in place an key players leaving will next season be a case of rebuilding.
Azpilicueta would not be drawn on specifics.
"I’m not anyone to say what the club needs to do," he said.
"Our job is to be here to work every day with the coach and the coaching staff, to prepare ourselves the best way we can in the training ground and be ready for the games. We have to after the end of the season, you have to analyse what we have done good and where we can improve.
"We are Chelsea, a club that wants to win everything. Of course when finishing third, you want to finish higher and challenge for every trophy. This is how we have acted in every single season. It’s not going to change. As a group, we want more.
"I think it shows that we are able to compete against one of the best teams in England and the world. They are in the final of the Champions League, but it also tells the truth that we are not consistent enough during the season to challenge for the Premier League so from there we have to see where we can improve and do it together."
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