Maurizio Sarri appears to have picked up a bizarre new superstition during his time as Chelsea manager this season.
The Italian was spotted ‘scratching his balls’ in a press conference after Sunday’s 3-0 win over Watford when he was asked by a journalist about the top four.
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Maurizio Sarri’s Chelsea secured their place in the Champions League for next season
The superstition appears to have worked for Sarri as his side qualified for next season’s Champions League as Arsenal dropped points against Brighton.
The Chelsea manager was asked about cementing a top four place in the press conference and could be seen dropping his hands down to his private parts.
It is known as ‘grattarsi le palle’ in Italy, which translates as ‘scratch your balls’, and is the equivalent of touching wood for luck.
The bizarre ritual appears to have paid dividends for the club as a top four finish is now secure, while the Blues still have the chance of winning the Europa League.
Sarri is known for being a very superstitious individual, with one of his quirks having a haircut after every defeat.
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When he was at his first coaching role at FC Stia, he and one of his players drank three coffees one Sunday before a victory.
He then forced that player to drink three coffees every Sunday for fear of breaking the spell.
Sarri would also always light a cigarette after driving on a hairpin bend as he thought the next game would not go well if he didn’t.
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In 2016, Napoli were on a 22 match unbeaten run at home and his superstition was always to be the last to enter the stadium.
Roma boss Luciano Spalletti was told about this so he pretended to go and then hid.
When Sarri was about to go out Spalletti appeared behind him and Napoli went on to lose 3-1.
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