Thomas Tuchel appeared before the media before tomorrow’s match against Real Madrid, at 9:00 p.m. at Stamford Bridge. A decisive clash for Chelsea, who last season beat the white team, although the German coach does not take it into account. “It has nothing to do with this game,” the blue coach, who would sign Karim Benzema for his team, responded emphatically.
About the new owner: “I ask him to make a strong team, to give us confidence and support.”
Conclusions of the defeat against Brentford: “We had a rest day to digest, but we haven’t had any special talks. We’ve had a tough, unusual loss, but we’ve focused on the next goals.”
Ancelotti and his absence: “It affects, but today I think he can do his job thanks to new technologies. It is true that it is better in person. I hope he will be there tomorrow and I have information that he wants to be there”.
Kovacic faces his former team: “He is like a child prodigy, a very loved, humble, very focused player. I have been clear about his talent since he was at Madrid, and I thought that a new step was yet to come. Not only on the pitch, but also outside. He is a team player”.
The atmosphere at Stamford Bridge: “We need our fans, we also need to be better on the pitch. But the fans are a necessary component, the energy they transmit to us is crucial. It is more difficult to play against the spectators.”
Last year’s meeting: “I haven’t seen the game last year. I think it has nothing to do with it. With that I tell you everything. We beat Madrid last year, but it has nothing to do with the preparation for this game.”
The player who would sign from Madrid: “I would like to sign Benzema. He was one of the most underrated players a few years ago but what he has done in this last stage, how he has carried the responsibility, is impressive”.
Real Madrid and its winning aura in Champions: “It is difficult to beat their record. They have achieved it with a very similar team and it is not usually like that. For us it is very special to play against Madrid tomorrow. It is a very special day”.
On Christensen and his commitment: “I’m not worried. Maybe it’s a little more complicated for him. I don’t know his future yet. When I talked to him, I wanted him to be 100% committed to the team. That’s what I was asking of him. I’ve been very honest. I think he would have to continue at our club. The defender he wants to be, in my opinion, needs this kind of environment. We have been talking constantly.”
Win the Champions League again: “I’m not going to talk about the future. It’s tough but it’s what we like: the competition.”
Christian Pulisic: “Maybe we needed the Brentford thing”
The bump against Brentford: “Maybe it was what we needed to be ready for Madrid. But we continue with a lot of confidence.”
about tiredness: “It’s complicated, with so many trips, with so many games. But our job is to take care of ourselves.”
Club situation and sale: “I have to be focused on the team. We hear a lot of things, but we can only focus on Real Madrid. The boys have done very well to deal with it in the first place. The way the boys reacted and responded to get so many victories… they have done a great job and I don’t think things are going to change towards the end of the season.”
His goal last year against Madrid gives him confidence: “We have to be confident. It’s not going to be easy, but given that we won last year, we should be confident.”
Apilicueta and its role: “He’s our captain. He does a lot of little things very well. He doesn’t stop, he gives us energy. I can only say good things about him.”
Haaland’s situation: “I don’t know if I was in the same situation. He’s a great player who has many options.”
The difference from last year: “There may be similarities…”