Thomas Tuchel details Chelsea’s key attributes to beat Real Madrid

The usual magic and lure of playing Real Madrid will feel very different for Chelsea in their Champions League semi-final.

Real Madrid are using the 6,000 seater Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium during the pandemic while the Bernabeu is being renovated as there will be no fans anyway.

But the Spanish giants are still regarded by most as the biggest club in the world, they are the most successful team in European football after winning the trophy a record 13 times and it promises to be the ultimate test for Thomas Tuchel.

In the space of three months, Tuchel has instilled a strong spirit, built a team which is hard to beat, they have exceeded all expectations by reaching the semi-finals, are in the FA Cup final and have forced their way into the Premier League ’s top four.

That is some achievement for a team arguably still in transition, a lot of young, developing players and yet Tuchel insists what they lack in experience they can make up for in hunger and enthusiasm.

Chelsea boss Tuchel said: “Maybe there is a lack of experience in semi-finals but we can compensate with hunger and enthusiasm.

“We don’t have to talk them into being confident. I don’t have to convince them as a coach. We try to but it is so much easier if you have the experience actually together. Every match I feel we can play at a very high level.

“If we are not able to play our nicest match we are able to not let the opponents play their best match which is also a definition of performance, not to let the opponents perform.

“So, we have a strong bond, I feel it in the squad. I feel we are very involved physically in the games, ready to work together to suffer together and when it is needed to respond to the questions and fight if it is necessary to fight, to run or show your skills or escape pressure with passing or be dominant.

“We have in every match moments when we can do this. The level is so high but if you arrive in the semi-final of the Champions League. Like I said we should not expect crazy things from us but same again on the highest level.

“The good thing is we have had tough, tight matches and very important matches together in the Premier League and FA Cup. So we feel it is a good time to play this match and we want to play hungry and be adventurous.”

Tuchel is an experienced Champions League campaigner himself, having led Paris Saint Germain to last year’s final and enjoyed big European nights while in charge of Borussia Dortmund.

Chelsea saw off Atletico Madrid in the last 16 this season, eased past Porto in the last round and won the trophy in 2012. They know what it will take to get through.

That is why Tuchel cut a very strong and confident figure on the eve of the Madrid tie and he exudes belief which is why the players have bought into his methods.

Tuchel added: “I strongly believe our squad can do this. I strongly believe that sometimes circumstances and playing against a big experienced team and a huge club in Europe like Real Madrid, maybe the next step is to keep the level and not to over-expect from us to take the next step.

“I think we showed against Tottenham, against Liverpool, in the knockouts against Porto and Atletico, that we are capable of consistently producing high-level football in all questions that are asked on the pitch, in offensive and defensive terms and in transition.

“The challenge is for me to produce it again and to keep the level. This is more the question than adding another step.”

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