Chelsea forward Diego Costa walking off the pitch with an injured hamstring. (Photo : Reuters)
Chelsea manager José Mourinho downplayed the injuries suffered by two of his best players, forward Diego Costa and defender Gary Cahill, during the team's International Champions Cup friendly versus Barcelona as they prepare for the 2015 FA Community Shield match against Arsenal on August 2, as per ESPN.
The Premier League winners beat Barça, 2-2 (4-2), on penalties at the FedEx Field in Landover on Tuesday, but suffered two crucial setbacks in the process.
Costa limped off the field with an injured hamstring, the Spaniard's recurring problem, while Cahill may have just broken his nose after scoring the equalizer at the 86th-minute mark that sent the game into a shootout.
Mourinho appeared to have little concern of the magnitude of either injury as he spoke calmly to reporters after the match, confirming that both players are still good to go on Sunday for the Community Shield.
"Cahill has a chance of a broken nose, maybe yes, maybe no. If no, perfect. If yes, he will get a mask tomorrow to be ready for Sunday," the 52-year-old Portuguese mentor said, as reported by SkySports. "Diego felt a little thing in his hamstring. We believe it is just a feeling, no more than that, but we have to wait."
However, Mourinho praised his players and their Camp Nou opponents for the highly entertaining and competitive exhibition match. He also commended the fans who attended the match, which he said made the game amazing with color.
The Blues' boss also said that he is looking forward to the match against Arsenal at the Wembley Stadium on Sunday. It was Chelsea's 10th Community Shield appearance, winning four, and the last time they have won was in 2009 versus Manchester United.
Arsenal is the current champion of the Shield, winning over Manchester City, 3-0, in last year's edition.
