Tuchel’s not prepared to stop now in bid for glory
If we want to win a trophy, we had better win these matches
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE QUARTER-FINAL, 2ND LEG CHELSEA (2) v PORTO (0)
CHELSEA manager Thomas Tuchel has told his side they cannot allow themselves to lose their focus in the most pivotal week of their season so far.
The German, who has lost just once since arriving at Stamford Bridge in January, is facing two crucial cup ties, starting with tonight’s Champions League quarter-final, second leg against Porto.
An FA Cup semi-final with Premier League champions-elect Manchester City follows on Saturday as Tuchel sets his sights on a first trophy in England.
First, Portuguese giants Porto stand in the way of a European semi-final against either Real Madrid or Liverpool, with the Blues holding a 2-0 lead from the first leg going into the return, also in Seville.
Tuchel warned Chelsea not to be complacent after Saturday’s straightforward 4-1 win at Crystal Palace.
‘If we want to end the season with a trophy, then we better win both matches or it will be a bit difficult,’ he said of encounters with Porto and City this week.
‘The most important thing is to fully focus on what we do, forget we already have a result, what we did against Palace.
‘It is in the past. In high-level sports, there is nothing more uninteresting than the past – the next fixture is the most important.’
And the 47-year-old is clear he does not expect his team to ‘lose their heads’ when the heat is on. ‘We don’t approach games like this or change the approach,’ he added when asked if the Blues would be more passive this time around.
‘In terms of a result, it is easier for Porto because they need to score three goals to get through.
‘For them it is clear. For us, if we start in this way then we could completely lose our heads. I hope we embrace the challenge and feel it.’