We're not fit enough! Di Canio attacks O'Neill's regime over poor fitness levels after Sunderland fall to defeat at Chelsea

By Simon Cass

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Paolo Di Canio last night criticised the fitness levels of the Sunderland players he has inherited from Martin O’Neill following a 2-1 defeat at Chelsea that left them perilously close to the relegation zone.

 

The controversial Italian making his debut as Sunderland manager at Stamford Bridge, said: ‘From the last few days of studying our players, I know exactly what they can give to me in terms of energy.

‘It’s not the fittest team in the world. But we are going to work and give them more energy in the next few days and weeks.’

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Spiky: Paolo Di Canio (right) refused to discuss fascism in public once again

Spiky: Paolo Di Canio (right) refused to discuss fascism in public once again

But a bizarre own goal from Matthew Kilgallon shortly after the break levelled the game and Branislav Ivanovic’s touch on David Luiz’s strike moved Chelsea up to third in the table.

Di Canio added: ‘I am not happy we lost 2-1 but there were positive things I can take from this. It was impossible because physically we spent a lot of energy in the first half. But we had fantastic discipline, the players are working hard. At this moment this is not a team that can play Chelsea for 95 minutes.’

Di Canio also admitted that he craves respect after facing yet more questions regarding his political beliefs.

Di Canio
Di Canio

Active: The Italian manager watched his side lose against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge

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Asked whether he wanted to be liked and respected, he replied: ‘When you are a manager, you’d like to be successful and receive respect from the others.

‘You can’t make everybody happy anyway. I’m Paolo Di Canio and I like how I am.’

Shortly after his side took the lead, Sunderland’s travelling fans began to chant Di Canio’s name. But other sections of their support, who are opposed to his past comments over fascism, have vowed to stay away following his appointment. ‘I feel sorry for them,’ said Di Canio.

Whether steering Sunderland to safety changes opinions on Wearside remains to be seen, but he expects the Barclays Premier League survival battle to go to the wire.

While Sunderland’s fitness comes under the spotlight, Chelsea will also face serious questions regarding their ability to cope in the coming weeks as Rafa Benitez tries to juggle a squad competing on three fronts.

The Spaniard’s task may have been made all the more difficult after striker Demba Ba was forced off at half-time with an ankle injury.

Passionate: Di Canio was on the touchline for the first time as Sunderland manager

Passionate: Di Canio was on the touchline for the first time as Sunderland manager

Benitez feels Champions League football at Stamford Bridge next season will not be guaranteed until the final day of the current campaign.

‘Spurs and Arsenal are still there pushing and Everton as well,’ said the interim manager, whose side face Rubin Kazan in the return leg of the Europa League quarter-final on Thursday before facing Manchester City in the semi-final of the FA Cup on Sunday, then two tricky League trips.

Unexpected: Sunderland took the lead through a Cesar Azpilicueta own goal

Unexpected: Sunderland took the lead through a Cesar Azpilicueta own goal

‘We have to continue to the end. Hopefully we can do well in the cup competitions and be ready for Fulham and Liverpool.’

At least the fan hostility towards him has calmed at Stamford Bridge in recent games, prompting Benitez to add: ‘Everybody has realised we have to stick together and support the team. That was my message before, and that is still my message now.’

Aerial battle: Branislav Ivanovic and Connor Wickham jump for a header

Aerial battle: Branislav Ivanovic and Connor Wickham jump for a header

Embrace: Di Canio was greeted by Chelsea captain John Terry before shaking hands with Rafa Benitez

Embrace: Di Canio was greeted by Chelsea captain John Terry before shaking hands with Rafa Benitez

 

 

 
 

 

 

The comments below have been moderated in advance.

Thats Di Canio Nutty as a fruitcake Think he will explode if Sunderland are relegated Understand there is a clause whereby they can sack him if they are relegated Should have added a further clause saying they could sack him if they are not relegated

Click to rate     Rating   33

Good luck Paulo, from a Liverpool fan. I've never heard or read so much hype about a manager in all my life. Keep politics out of sport is what the media preach then proceed to immediately mix sport & politics. Political correctness has been taken to the limit in GB, with it even being a problem to celebrate Xmas in case it offends non christians. If a man is capable of doing a good job the let him get on with it and cut out the character assassinations which wind the racists & bigots up but most real football fans have no interest in

Click to rate     Rating   56

Suprised not to hear any controversy about the potential jaw breaking elbow that Luiz threw at Wikham.Disgusting,cowardly action for which he should have AT LEAST a three game ban. I can think of a few players who would have been slaughtered for this assault.

Click to rate     Rating   27

Typical Italian !!! Blame someone else.

Click to rate     Rating   22

Get them running Marathons for the next 6 days!!

Click to rate     Rating   38

Well we all knew he was nt gonna come out & say the guys are too fit get the Pizzas ordered !!

Click to rate     Rating   12

Can't see many EPL standard players that would improve the team wanting to sign for PDC! Sunderland to be the QPR next season, if they stay up!

Click to rate     Rating   9

Excuses already?

Click to rate     Rating   9

Bottom three next weekend Paulo

Click to rate     Rating   10

Paulo is spot on about this. When O'Neill was at Villa his players were always knackered come the 70th minute of a match, and more worryingly completely burnt out by the end if February every season he was in charge. Take a look at how many games his sides won in the month of March- hardly any. Because they weren't fit enough. O'Neill's methods of training just a few days a week are archaic and when Houllier took charge at the Villa his biggest problem was changing the attitude of the players as they had it so easy and relaxed under O'Neill. A new more rigours training regime was put in place and it caused unrest with most of his signings who loved O'Neill's cushy training. Which may I add, he hardly ever attended himself. O'Neill. The myth.

Click to rate     Rating   49

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