Florent Malouda has revealed Roman Abramovich gave the players the silent treatment after the defeat by Inter.
Frenchman insists Blues owner kept his counsel
Florent Malouda has revealed Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich gave the players the silent treatment after Tuesday's defeat to Inter Milan.
Chelsea saw their UEFA Champions League hopes ended for another year after going down 1-0 to Inter at Stamford Bridge to exit 3-1 on aggregate at the last-16 stage.
Abramovich visited the Blues players in the dressing room after the game, but Malouda has rejected suggestions that the Russian billionaire read the riot act to the squad.
"He (Abramovich) didn't speak," Malouda told the
Daily Express.
"Everyone was quiet in the dressing room because we were really disappointed.
"He came in because when we lose, we lose together. You don't have to blame anyone in particular, we lost together. Now we have to raise it and we will analyse the way we played and then win together."
Malouda was disappointed by the manner of their defeat to Inter and conceded they did not play to their strengths against former boss Jose Mourinho.
Long balls
"It was really frustrating, we didn't play the way we wanted to," added Malouda. "We had a plan and couldn't apply this plan.
"I didn't think we used the potential of our team. We didn't use our strengths and sometimes we played too many long balls.
"We wanted to play to our strengths and put more pace and intensity in the game, but they were looking for fouls to slow the pace of the game.
"It was strange and we didn't seem to handle it and to find a way to keep the intensity high. It was difficult and I think that is where we lost the game.
"We lost patience and were looking for long balls.
"That's what they were waiting for. They were looking for fouls and there was a lot of diving, but we didn't find a solution.
"Inter deserved their win and we are eliminated, so we can't speak about the Champions League any more this season."
