---
title: "Cahill: Late trip back from Madrid played part in City defeat"
canonical: "https://readchelsea.com/2017/10/02/cahil-late-trip-back-from-madrid-played-part-in-city-defeat/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "James Browning"
section: "Chelsea News"
published: "2017-10-02T10:02:05Z"
modified: "2017-10-02T10:03:29Z"
---

# Cahill: Late trip back from Madrid played part in City defeat

Chelsea captain Gary Cahill has pointed a finger at the club’s late night/early morning arrival back from their Champions League win over Atletico Madrid as a factor in their disappointing defeat to Manchester City at the weekend.

The Blues arrived back from Wednesday night’s 2-1 win over the Spanish side at four o’clock on Thursday morning, before playing Manchester City at Stamford Bridge at half past five on Saturday evening — quite a quick turnaround.

![Mike Hewitt/Getty Images Sport](https://cdn.readeverything.co/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/855930106.jpg)

Speaking to the club’s [official website](https://www.chelseafc.com/news/latest-news/2017/10/cahill--fight-to-the-end.html), Cahill said:

> We didn’t play as well as we can do or as well as we have been doing, but credit to them, they made it very difficult for us. It was a tough fixture for us to play, especially after coming back at four o’clock in the morning on Thursday.

> It’s not an excuse but it’s a factor. We worked very hard for each other but we were a fraction off it and they were very, very good. Last season we were very confident playing at home so we will look to get back to that.

Ex-Chelsea midfielder Kevin de Bruyne scored a fantastic goal to earn Manchester City all three points on their travels, as the Blues’ start striker, Alvaro Morata, came off injured during the first half of the game.

![Clive Rose/Getty Images Sport](https://cdn.readeverything.co/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/855931058.jpg)

The Spaniard had been in fine form for Chelsea but withdrew from the game against City in the 34th minute, and Cahill says it was a huge blow to the side:

> You look at the way he has started his career at Chelsea and it was a huge blow for us to lose him early in the game

> It affected elements of the game for us. His hold-up play as well as his finishing has been fantastic.

Chelsea’s next game is a trip to Selhurst Park on 14th October, after the international break in which Cahill will be hoping to lead England to World Cup qualification.