‘No One Wants To Play’ Chelsea, Tuchel Reacts To Atletico’s Dismantling

Cat:

Related stories

US drillers cut oil and gas rigs for 10th week in a row, Baker Hughes says

U.S. energy firms this week cut the number of...

Tinubu Mourns, Pays Tribute to Legendary Super Eagles Goalkeeper Peter Rufai

By Abiola Olawale President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed profound...

Natasha vs Akpabio: Court Orders Senate President To Recall Senator Natasha

Warns Natasha Against inappropriate Conduct By Abiola Olawale The Federal...

Hadi Sirika Denies Defection to ADC Coalition Rumors, Reaffirms Loyalty to Buhari, APC

By Abiola Olawale Former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, has...

Thomas Tuchel believes his new-look Chelsea boast the “edge and glue” to become genuine Champions League title contenders.

Hakim Ziyech and Emerson Palmieri struck as Chelsea dispatched 10-man Atletico Madrid 2-0 in Wednesday’s last-16 second-leg clash at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues dumped out LaLiga’s leaders 3-0 on aggregate to reach their first Champions League quarter-final since 2014, with Tuchel extending his unbeaten start at Chelsea to 13 matches.

Eagerly awaiting Friday’s last-eight draw, Tuchel insisted Chelsea must fear no one in the competition – and hailed his squad’s bristling spirit as crucial to their continued European chances.

“The most important is that we feel we deserve this,” said Tuchel.

“The most important is that we give the feedback for the guys what they did here in terms of quality and intensity.

“It’s most important you feel it and that no one has to convince you. You need to feel it.

“They play with a special bond and performances and results like this give you a certain edge and glue to achieve special things. You can only achieve this through results and experiences.

“I’m pretty sure no one wants to play against us. It’s a super-difficult challenge ahead because we are already in the last eight.

“It’s a big step, but no need to be afraid, we take what we get and prepare as best as possible.”

Atletico had Stefan Savic sent off late on for elbowing Toni Rudiger off the ball, and the Madrid men were well beaten in the event.

Chelsea have registered 11 clean sheets in 13 matches without defeat since Tuchel took the helm from Frank Lampard.

N’Golo Kante conjured one of the seminal performances of a career that already boasts two Premier League titles and a World Cup win.

The low-key Frenchman dominated from first to last at the base of Chelsea’s midfield, leaving Tuchel in awe of the 29-year-old dynamo.

“If you play with NG you always play with a minimum half a man more; this is unique,” said Tuchel.

“It is a pleasure to be his coach, he is a big gift for me, a guy so, so humble, and who is such a big helper on the pitch.

“But don’t underestimate his quality in passing, dribbling and escaping the pressure. Mateo Kovacic and him needed to step up today because we missed Jorginho.

“So they knew we would rely on them, and they delivered.”

'Dotun Akintomide
'Dotun Akintomide
'Dotun Akintomide's journalism works intersect business, environment, politics and developmental issues. Among a number of local and international publications, his work has appeared in the New York Times. He's a winner of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Award. Currently, the Online Editor at The New Diplomat, Akintomide has produced reports that uniquely spoke to Nigeria's experience on Climate Change issues. When Akintomide is not writing, volunteering or working on a media project, you can find him seeing beautiful sites like the sandy beaches that bedecked the Lagos coastline.

Subscribe

- Never miss a story with notifications

- Gain full access to our premium content

- Browse free from up to 5 devices at once

Latest stories

NDN
Latest News
US drillers cut oil and gas rigs for 10th week in a row, Baker Hughes saysExclusive! Tinubu Tips Late Ajimobi's Wife, Florence, Others for Ambassadorial PostsTinubu Mourns, Pays Tribute to Legendary Super Eagles Goalkeeper Peter RufaiNatasha vs Akpabio: Court Orders Senate President To Recall Senator NatashaHadi Sirika Denies Defection to ADC Coalition Rumors, Reaffirms Loyalty to Buhari, APCChina Snubs U.S. Crude for Third Month, Even as Ethane Trade RestartsHow Super Eagles Icon Peter Rufai passed Away at 61Dakuku Peterside’s Beneath the Surface Book Out in OctoberOil Prices Dip on Confirmation of Inventory BuildBuhari In Stable Condition - Ex-Aide ConfirmsBREAKING: Ex-President Buhari sick, hospitalised abroad2027: Abure, Usman Clash Over Peter Obi’s Rising Profile in ADC CoalitionMTN’s Dabengwa Tier III Cloud Data Centre: A New Era for West African Tech and AIGanduje: Why are they resigning?OPEC Reports a Global Oil Production Decline in 2024
X whatsapp