Pep faces Tuchel test in FA Cup
Chelsea seek to end City’s quadruple bid
LONDON: Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea potentially have two chances to torpedo Manchester City’s bid for an unprecedented quadruple — but can end the chase as early as today, when the two sides clash in an FA Cup semi-final.
In-form Chelsea will fancy their chances at Wembley in a match that could serve as a dress rehearsal for the Champions League final.
Leicester take on Southampton in front of returning fans in the other semi-final, while there is a clutch of Premier League matches that will influence the outcome of the top-four race and the relegation battle.
TOUGH ASSIGNMENT
Pep Guardiola said after Wednesday’s victory against Borussia Dortmund that sealed their place in the Champions League semi-finals that he and his players would drink some “good wine”.
The Catalan manager will hope for another reason to celebrate at Wembley this weekend but will be wary after 10-man Leeds handed them a rare league defeat last week.
Chelsea, revitalised since Tuchel replaced Frank Lampard in January, will pose a formidable threat to City and their dreams of winning four trophies.
The club have suffered just two defeats under the German — including the 1-0 loss to Porto in the second leg of this week’s Champions League quarter-final — and are in the battle for a top-four place as well as silverware.
Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount could be key to Chelsea’s bid for success. “Mason has the right mentality and the right attitude towards training and games. And he has the right attitude towards success. He’s got both feet on the ground, and he’s open enough and hungry to learn,” Tuchel said.
FANS RETURN
Leicester are hoping to reach the FA Cup final for the first time since 1969 in front of fans — with the semi-final serving as a test event for the return of supporters after the coronavirus shutdown.
Wembley will welcome 4,000 spectators for the Leicester v Southampton match tomorrow but they will be
a mixture of local residents and key workers. The FA Cup final on May 15 is set to host 21,000 fans.
The test events are part of the government’s roadmap out of lockdown following one of the world’s most successful vaccination drives.
DESPERATE LIVERPOOL
Liverpool are desperate to return to the Champions League next season after their midweek defeat in the
quarter-finals against Real Madrid.
Klopp’s men, in sixth place in the Premier League, are three points behind fourth-placed West Ham and two points behind Chelsea. Leicester, in third, look vulnerable after successive defeats. “I would say I am naturally confident, but that doesn’t mean we will end up there,” said Klopp, referring to Liverpool’s top-four hopes.
“We just can read the table, we know the points, we know the situation and
stuff like this.”
Liverpool face a buoyant Leeds on Monday — after Marcelo Bielsa outfoxed Guardiola last week — but apart from a tricky test against Manchester United, their fixture list looks kind. AFP