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Chelsea urged to use ‘hunger’ to trump Real experience

Thomas Tuchel: “Chelsea deserve to be in the semi-final, just like Real Madrid, not because of political decisions, or influence, or size, or nice shirts: we deserve it because we came a long way.” Photo: Reuters Expand

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Thomas Tuchel: “Chelsea deserve to be in the semi-final, just like Real Madrid, not because of political decisions, or influence, or size, or nice shirts: we deserve it because we came a long way.” Photo: Reuters

Thomas Tuchel: “Chelsea deserve to be in the semi-final, just like Real Madrid, not because of political decisions, or influence, or size, or nice shirts: we deserve it because we came a long way.” Photo: Reuters

Thomas Tuchel: “Chelsea deserve to be in the semi-final, just like Real Madrid, not because of political decisions, or influence, or size, or nice shirts: we deserve it because we came a long way.” Photo: Reuters

Sam Dean

Thomas Tuchel has urged his Chelsea side to use their “hunger and enthusiasm” against the might of Real Madrid as many of his players prepare for one of the biggest matches of their careers.

Chelsea lack the Champions League experience of the Spanish giants, but Tuchel wants his players to show their “adventurous” character in Madrid.

“We have had tough and very important matches together in the Premier League and FA Cup, so we feel it is a good time to play and we want to be adventurous,” he said.

“Maybe there is a lack of experience, but we can compensate with hunger and enthusiasm. 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 and suffer together and to fight if it is necessary to fight.”

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Zinedine Zidane, the Real manager, described Chelsea as a “complete team” and insisted that both sides deserved to be in the Champions League despite doubts over their place after they signed up to the failed Super League.

“It is absurd to think we could not be in the Champions League,” said Zidane, who led Real to three Champions League triumphs in a row from 2016 to 2018.

Tuchel, who will be without midfielder Mateo Kovacic, added: “We deserve to be in the semi-final, just like Real Madrid, not because of political decisions, or influence, or size, or nice shirts: we deserve it because we came a long way.”

The German criticised UEFA’s Champions League reforms, which will mean teams play at least 10 matches in the first stage.

“In the schedule that we have, it’s very hard for me to be excited at all,” he said. “All these discussions about the Super League made us forget that we have a new format of Champions League very soon. Did they ask any coach or any player about this? I don’t think so. They did not ask me.

“There are so many new formats – Nations League, a new world championship for clubs coming soon, more teams in the European Championship. It’s more and more games, but not more quality.”

Zidane, meanwhile, insisted he has no need to issue a public defence of under-fire Real Madrid president Florentino Perez, for his role in orchestrating the breakaway competition.

“The president knows what I have in my heart and what I think, and we are here to prepare tomorrow’s match,” said Zidane.

“The rest is not that we are not interested, it’s just not the moment to talk about it.

“We are going to play a Champions League semi-final, and that’s all we can think about.” 

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