Chelsea boss Tuchel bullish on Champions League hopes

‘NO ONE will want to play us’: Thomas Tuchel bullish on Chelsea’s Champions League hopes after they breeze past LaLiga leaders Atletico Madrid to reach the quarter-finals, as Blues boss insists: ‘There’s no need for us to be afraid’

  • Chelsea beat Atletico to reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League 
  • Hakim Ziyech and Emerson were both on target to seal a 3-0 aggregate victory
  • The Blues remain unbeaten in 13 games since Thomas Tuchel took charge
  • Chelsea join Liverpool and Manchester City in the quarter-final draw on Friday

Thomas Tuchel insists Europe’s elite will want to avoid Chelsea in Friday’s Champions League draw following their convincing win over Atletico Madrid.

The Blues breezed through to the quarter finals with an excellent win over the LaLiga leaders courtesy of goals from Hakim Ziyech and Emerson.

And Tuchel said: ‘They play with a special bond and that gives you an edge. I’m sure no one will want to play against us and there’s no need for us to be afraid.

Thomas Tuchel continued his impressive start to his Chelsea reign with victory over Atletico

Tuchel insists Europe’s elite will want to avoid Chelsea in Friday’s Champions League draw

‘The most important thing is we feel we deserve this. It was a very good performance, and unbelievable team effort from the guys on the pitch and bench and in stands, you could really feel we wanted it – we go through deserved.

‘We also suffered in the second half, and we were ready to do what we needed.

‘We missed Thiago [Silva] and Andreas [Christensen], Mason [Mount] and Jorginho – big personalities. But we showed big team work.

‘Kurt Zouma steps up, the guys protect themselves. Our courage and reliability was key in our defending, this is what it takes.

Chelsea winger Hakim Ziyech calmly slotted the ball beyond Jan Oblak for the first goal

‘We know if we cannot find solutions, we will rely on our physicality, we were not afraid to put it on a physical level.

‘It was hard to create chances against them, a tough team to play, we enjoyed the battle, everybody enjoyed the competition.’

Atletico were unlucky not to be awarded a first half penalty when Cesar Azpilicueta appeared to pull back Yannick Carrasco in the box following a mistake.

But Tuchel was adamant Italian referee Daniele Orsato was correct not to award the spot kick.

 Defender Emerson made it 2-0 in the 94th minute with his first touch after a breakaway

‘I did not see it as a penalty, Azpi got a bit frightened – I was a bit frightened,’ said the Blues boss.

Atletico boss Diego Simeone added: ‘It was more even in the first game. We tried to press them further up the field, we worked hard but we were always not quite there and they were able to get out of those situations.

‘Of course the fans will be hurt and disappointed, that’s the way it has to be. But we have to regroup and reset for the rest of the season.

‘They were the better team. When you come up against a better, it means you have to improve. We must show dedication and enthusiasm as we look to focus on the next game.’

Atletico’s Stefan Savic was sent off for an elbow into the ribs of defender Antonio Rudiger




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