Rafael Benitez insisted his team selection was not to blame for Chelsea’s 2-1 defeat at Southampton.
The interim manager made seven changes to the side that won 2-0 against West Ham last time out, with one eye seemingly on Monday’s FA Cup quarter-final replay against Manchester United.
Chelsea slumped to a third successive away defeat in the league and their poor performance left the travelling supporters incensed.
But Benitez said: “We have to manage the squad. We don’t have too many options in some positions so we had to use the players we had to use.
“Gary Cahill and Juan Mata couldn’t play, so it was not a question of resting these players.
“We wanted to use players who were training with us during the international break and you could see that they were ready.
“I thought these players should be fine and we were better in second half but it was not enough to win the game.”
The loss at St Mary’s saw Chelsea slip to fourth in the table, behind Tottenham and only two points ahead of fifth-placed Arsenal.
But Benitez does not believe the result has dented their chances of securing a Champions League spot.
“I think we are in the same situation,” the Spaniard added.
“Three points would obviously have been easier but we have one game in hand so we have to carry on.
“We have to concentrate on Monday [against United] and then start thinking about Thursday [against Rubin Kazan] and then Sunderland at home. We have to be ready for the next challenge.”
Follow West London Sport on Twitter
Find us on Facebook
This post was last modified on 30/03/2013
View Comments
It was't his fort but chelsea's owner who feels he can decide wat he likes,
He just want to make chelsea out of top 4 in oder to aboit morinho transfer.
Let him left we dont want him.
Benitez has ruined himself, he should have fielded the best squad from the beginning, we need confidence to face ManU. Once I saw the line up, I knew we were doom to lose and that's what happened. But what Benitez doing this for? I know it's because he focused more on FA cup than our top4 because he knew comes next season he won't be in charge. What a selfish approach! May God save us from enemy within. I will remember him as the worst man in charge of chelsea ever.
Mr A get rid of him now before we finish too low to get in the CL. He has no interest in the CL because he wont be here. Put Torres in charge instead, he must be good at something.