Oct. 27 - In last night's EFL Cup contest, the
Chelsea
After a penalty shootout, the team sifted through Southampton and successfully advanced to the next round. The Blues' starting goalkeeper, Kepa, played well in the game, not only giving several wonderful remedies in the usual time, but also pouncing on Walcott's shot in the penalty shootout, which eventually assisted the Blues to take the game. After the game, Kepa also frankly said that he loves to pounce on penalty kicks, because it represents his own opportunity to help the team. At the same time, he also said that the process of the competition with Southampton is very difficult.
This is not the first time Kepa has saved a penalty in a penalty shootout, having also saved a shot from Aston Villa's Nakamba in the penalty shootout of the last round of the EFL Cup competition, as well as twice saving a Villarreal player's shot in the penalty shootout of this season's UEFA Super Cup.
In his post-match interview, Kepa said: "I'm confident and I feel good, I love to pounce on penalties. So when I have a moment like this to assist the team, I'm happy and happy to be in the next round."
However, Kepa also admitted that it would be a difficult contest for the Blues ahead of the penalty shootout, as
Chelsea
against a team that is just as determined as they are to advance. He also believes that Southampton's 1-on-1 tactics against the Blues left the two teams with few ways to get at each other over the 90 minutes of play and prevented the
Chelsea
Find your rhythm.
The game was difficult from the beginning," said Kepa. Our opponents were defending 1-on-1 on the pitch and we had a lot of difficulties receiving and carrying the ball, so we played long passes and they followed suit, it was a very difficult game, but it ended in the best way possible. We expected this and from the first round we have been playing against the
England Premier Soccer League
The team competed, so it was expected. That's the way it is in the Cup, both teams want to win and we maybe didn't defend a couple of set-pieces from the other team in the best way, but in the end we made it to the next round."
Chelsea
The next opponent of the EFL Cup will be announced on Saturday, and the match will be played on December 21st or 22nd. On the next round of the EFL Cup, Kepa said, "We have some time between the next round now, so we have time to focus on the
England Premier Soccer League
和
European crown
. We know it's difficult to compete in England in December and January, but we have a great unit, many players are strong and we are ready."
