MX23RW : Thursday, September 12 22:49:13| >> :60:2628:2628:

Juan Mata 'deeply disappointed' by Champions League exit

Mata 'deeply disappointed' by CL exit
© AP Photos
Juan Mata says that he is 'deeply disappointed' by Chelsea's Champions League exit but wants to win the Europa League.

Chelsea playmaker Juan Mata has revealed his disappointment after his side were knocked out of the Champions League.

The Blues became the first holders of the competition to fail to advance from the group stages, despite hammering Nordsjaelland 6-1 at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.

The Londoners will now enter the Europa League at the knockout stages, and Mata is adamant that Chelsea will try to make amends for their early Champions League exit by winning the tournament.

"We did what we had to do but it wasn't enough," said Mata. "We played really well, especially in the second half, but the sense of disappointment is deep. We wanted to get through to the next round as we are the holders of the competition, but we have to carry on and try to win the Europa League.

"It wasn't a problem tonight or in the last game. We didn't do well enough in previous games; we lost points early on. In the end we got ten points and in other groups that might have been enough to get through. For us it wasn't enough because Shakhtar and Juventus are two very strong teams.

"It's a sad day but we will try and win the Europa League. It's a new tournament for the club and gives us another challenge for the season."

Chelsea will now make the trip to Sunderland in the Premier League on Saturday.

ID:58121: cacheID:58121:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2391:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
David Luiz scores Chelsea's first from the penalty spot
Read Next:
Luiz wants Europa League win
>
Read more about Juan Mata Football
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City33009279
2Liverpool33007079
3Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton32106247
4Arsenal32105147
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle32104227
6Brentford32015416
7Aston Villa32014406
8Bournemouth31205415
9Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest31203215
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs31116334
11Chelsea31117524
12Fulham31113304
13West Ham UnitedWest Ham310245-13
14Manchester UnitedMan Utd310225-33
15Leicester CityLeicester301235-21
16Crystal Palace301225-31
17Ipswich TownIpswich301227-51
18Wolverhampton WanderersWolves301239-61
19Southampton300315-40
20Everton3003210-80


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!