https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/2022/05/20/
alonso-feels-mental-and-physical-fatigue-cost-us-points-against-
Alonso feels mental and physical fatigue cost us points against Leicester
20 May 2022
Despite Marcos Alonso's well-taken goal, we had to settle for a point in a
home game we dominated against Leicester, but the scorer believes that
outcome was the result of a draining week at the end of a long, hard
season for the Blues.
https://i.imgur.com/bnYCmvU.jpg
We were in near total control of the match for 90 minutes at Stamford
Bridge, but had to come from behind for the draw after conceding early to
James Maddison's shot from outside the box.
Alonso drew us level with a fine volley and we had chances to take the
lead in both halves, but for all our possession were unable to find the
second goal we needed to leave with all three points.
While the Spaniard feels we deserved more from the game, he admits the
sheer number of fixtures he and his team-mates have played this season, as
well as Saturday's FA Cup final defeat after 120 minutes of intense action
and a penalty shoot-out, likely played a part in Thursday's outcome.
'I think we had enough chances, but it was a difficult one to play after a
tough defeat in the FA Cup final, after so many games this season and not
having much left to play for,' said Alonso, with Chelsea already
guaranteed a top-four finish and Champions League qualification going into
the match against Leicester.
'I think the final was definitely in the body. It was just a few days ago
and we've had so many games and are arriving at the end a bit fatigued,
tired mentally, and we could just get one point this time.
https://i.imgur.com/Zuli9QF.jpg
Alonso steadies himself before smashing in our equaliser
'I don't know how many games we've played, but I think we must have played
more games than any team in the world this season, in a lot of
competitions, and we are arriving at the end now so it's getting tough. We
were a bit tired physically and mentally.
'It was a tough one to play but I think we fought until the end. They were
close at the back defending and it wasn't easy to find space, but we did
our best. Still I think we dominated, we controlled the game, we had the
chances, we just needed a few more chances and the second goal.'
While we didn't manage to take the win our dominance deserved, we had
Alonso's goal to thank for the point, as he sweetly volleyed past
Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel after meeting Reece James'
perfectly-weighted pass at the back post.
That left the 31-year-old pleased to have got on the scoresheet even if it
wasn't the end result he wanted, although he is still eager to finish the
season on a high in our last match, also at the Bridge, against Watford on
Sunday.
https://i.imgur.com/fK6KOuv.jpg
James provided a great assist for Alonso's goal
'Reece is a great player and I am grateful for the assist. When they put
the ball to the left I always try to be there, I arrived at the last
moment and put it at the near post. It was a perfect ball from Reece and
hopefully there are more to come in the next game or the next season.
'I am happy to score but disappointed not to get the three points. But it
is what it is, we take the point, we move on, there is one more to go and
then we will rest a bit.
https://i.imgur.com/lPC830T.jpg
"If the manager wants me to play up front, I'm there!"
'We always go to go out to play and get the win and we will do that again
in the last game of the season to leave a good taste at the end. We will
try to play a good game and celebrate here with the fans before we go for
the summer.'