Chelsea's Nemanja Matic speaks out over Ashley Barnes challenge: I am happy because I can walk

 

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Dismissed: Matic was sent off for shoving opponent Ashley cBarnes last month
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Standard Sport15 March 2015

Chelsea midfielder Nemanja Matic has spoken about his sending off for pushing Burnley's Ashley Barnes last month.

Matic served a two-match ban - which included the Capital One Cup Final - for his reaction to a challenge from the Burnley striker which Mourinho referred to a "criminal".

After the collision with Barnes, the Blues midfielder leapt up and shoved his opponent to the ground. He was immediately dimissed and Chelsea went on to surrender their lead as Sean Dyche's men held the champions elect.

And speaking to a number of national newspapers, Matic said: "Of course my reaction was not good but this reaction was because I thought that I break a leg. I am a happy man because I can walk."

Matic also missed the narrow Premier League victory over West Ham, but returned for the midweek Champions League defeat (on away goals) to PSG. But Mourinho has backed his side to bounce back and cap a 'brilliant season' with Premier League success.

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The Chelsea boss said: “We spoke in that moment (straight after the PSG exit in dressing room) about our future: to try and win the Premier League and, if we do that, a season with a Premier League and a Capital One Cup is a brilliant season. A brilliant season.

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