Jose Mourinho says Chelsea failed at Eastlands because they did not match the intensity of their defending in the previous visit – and could not get Eden Hazard into attacking positions.
The Blues were very disappointing at Man City and could have no complaints about the 2-0 defeat which ended hopes of a quarter-final appearance.
“I think we didn't defend the same way,” Mourinho said. “We didn't defend with the same concentration, or the same balance.
“Our defensive line was too far back. It was too deep and we want to press. What we do very very well is to press the opponent in the opponent's half and we never did that.
“Our [lack of] defensive freshness was also clear. You could feel their players were stronger and faster than some of my players and after that, during the game, the team was feeling it was difficult to do it and when you feel this, from the mental point of view, you are going a little bit down."
A candid Mourinho added: “My team didn't play so well and we couldn't get Eden Hazard into positions where he could be a threat.
“The kid tried everything by dropping back, coming into the midfield, but was more difficult for him to beat one, two, three guys.”
