The Blues trailed 2-1 at halftime in Naples after conceding twice in quick succession—first to Antonio Vergara’s individual brilliance in the 33rd minute and then Rasmus Højlund’s finish just before the break. Wesley Fofana faced significant scrutiny for being spun by Vergara on the equaliser and struggling to contain Højlund, while the experimental setup (with Fofana as the lone natural centre-back in a back-three) drew questions about Rosenior’s tactical choices. Reece James accused a teammate of “switching off,” and pundit Joe Cole shifted much of the blame to midfielders Moisés Caicedo and Andrey Santos for poor shielding.
In his post-match press conference (as detailed in outlets like Football London and We Ain’t Got No History), Rosenior defended his players, particularly the defensive unit, and asked fans to “ease off” the blame game. He emphasized the collective mentality that fueled the second-half turnaround—João Pedro’s brace (61’ and 83’), assisted by Cole Palmer’s introduction—while acknowledging the first-half difficulties stemmed from Napoli’s clever adjustments after Chelsea’s aggressive start.
Rosenior reportedly said something along the lines of: “I don’t want fans piling on the defensive duo—they gave everything and stood firm when it mattered most in the second half. We were exposed early because of how we set up to be aggressive, but that’s on me as much as anyone. Ease off; these lads are fighting for the badge, and the reaction showed real character. Blame games don’t help—we learn, we move on, and we celebrate the win that gets us straight into the last 16.”
The comments reflect Rosenior’s consistent approach of taking accountability (as seen in prior games like the Arsenal defeat) and protecting his squad amid a transitional period. He praised the “collective mentality” and individual performances that turned the tie, noting how substitutions shifted momentum without directly criticizing anyone publicly. This came after fan frustration boiled over online during the first half, with calls for changes and questions over Fofana’s display (some ratings as low as 2/10).
The victory—Chelsea’s first at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in recent memory—secured a top-eight finish in the league phase, avoiding play-offs and knocking out Antonio Conte’s Napoli. It marked a statement result for Rosenior, who outsmarted his former Chelsea boss in a tactical battle, easing early cynicism around his appointment.
Supporters remain divided: some appreciate Rosenior shielding the players and focusing on positives, while others feel the defensive lapses (poor positioning, lack of midfield cover) need addressing to avoid repeats in the Premier League. With upcoming fixtures and ongoing speculation around stars like Cole Palmer, Rosenior’s plea for unity aims to maintain morale during a crucial phase.
The win provides breathing room, but Rosenior’s words underscore his belief that growth comes from support, not scapegoating—especially after a resilient comeback that showcased Chelsea’s fighting spirit.
