Maurizio
Sarri believes the midfield battle will key on Sunday if his Chelsea side
are to strike a second major blow on Manchester City's title challenge this
season.
Reigning champions City were on a 21-match unbeaten run which stretched back
to the previous April when they travelled to Stamford Bridge on December 8.
But they were stunned by Chelsea and went on to lose two of their next three
league games and hand Liverpool the impetus in the title race.
They have been playing catch up ever since and will seek to keep the
pressure on Jurgen Klopp's side by gaining revenge for their defeat by
Chelsea early in the season.
Both teams boast a wealth of attacking talent but Sarri feels the battle for
dominance in the middle of the park, where Fernandinho will be key for City
and Jorginho will have a pivotal role for Chelsea, will go a long way
towards deciding the outcome.
Sarri said: "It will be really very difficult to be in control of the match.
The match is there (in midfield), more than in the strikers.
"They are able to play if you stop Fernandinho and also we're able to play
if you stop Jorginho.
"We have options. Maybe they have more options than us because they have
worked on this for three seasons.
"But I remember that in Naples it wasn't a big problem if there was a man on
Jorginho, so I hope it will be the same here in the future."
No player has made more passes in the Premier League this season than
Jorginho (who has 2,219), but Sarri is aware his side will find it difficult
to keep the ball at the Etihad Stadium.
"I expect Guardiola's team want to always be in control of the match, always
in possession of the ball and they're able to do it. So it's a very
difficult match," Sarri said.
"We are used to having the ball and possession so on Sunday it will be very
different.
"We will try to play our football, but if they are able to play their
football, of course, you have to stay lower (deeper)."
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