Chelsea boss Tuchel outlines his demands ahead of Sunday showdown with Manchester United

BY PAUL LAGAN
paul@slpmedia.co.uk

Thomas Tuchel knows that his players have to show the work rate and aggression on Sunday against Manchester United, that they produced against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday – and, just as importantly, be wary of complacency.

The Blues secured a precious 1-0 away win against the Spanish league leaders in the last 16 round of the Champions League thanks to a spectacular second-half bicycle kick from striker Olivier Giroud.

The match was played in Bucharest, Romania due to Spain’s travel restrictions.

The return leg, scheduled for Stamford Bridge, is in three weeks’ time.

It is not 100 per cent certain that the game will be played in London due to the restrictions on travel and a decision will be made closer to the time.

But it is the return to Premier League action that is right at the forefront of Tuchel’s thinking.

Chelsea are fifth in the table, two points behind West Ham United.

He said: “I am very happy with the performance of everybody on Tuesday.

“It was very important that we concentrated over all 96 minutes.

“That we also accept that it’s very hard to create chances, but we did all that and it was a very good team effort – a good effort, a big effort, high work-rate, high intensity. But we now play Manchester United, Everton, Liverpool and Leeds, it is good like this. We cannot get comfortable, we cannot get lazy.

“These games will push us to our limits, then we will think about our solutions for the second leg.”

Those solutions will be to work out how to deal with the loss of Mason Mount and Jorginho, who will both be suspended for the return leg.

Tuchel said: “We will miss two crucial players, it makes things difficult for us.”

Ex-Arsenal striker Giroud, 34, is in the twilight of his career but is still the man for the big occasions.

He has scored six Champions League goals this season, his best return in a single campaign. He also became the club’s oldest player to score in the knockout stages of the tournament.

Giroud – asked about his wonder goal that sank the Spanish side – said: “I didn’t know what to think about the goal. I was just trying to focus on hitting the ball well.

“I love overhead kicks and I was pleased to see the ball hit the back of the net. I had no idea about being offside or not.

“Mason told me the touch came from the defender, so it wasn’t offside. It was good for the team and me.

“We know the importance of the away goal in European competitions. That’s why I am very pleased to help the team to win the game.”

Tuchel is not surprised by the France World Cup winner’s contribution.

The German head coach said: “If you see him on a daily basis, you cannot be surprised.

“He is totally fit, his body is in shape and his physicality is on top level.

“Mentally I have really the feeling that he enjoys every day being a professional soccer player on this level and this is the level he needs to be. He trains like a 20-year-old. He is a guy who has a good mixture of seriousness and joy in training.

“He is always positive and it is a big factor for the group.”

Beth England had a 14-minute cameo role for England as the Lionesses thrashed Northern Ireland 6-0 in an international friendly on Tuesday. The Chelsea striker, came off the bench to replace hat-trick hero Ellen White.

Millie Bright and Fran Kirby withdrew from the squad due to injuries sustained in England training. Both are expected to be ready for the resumption of their Champions League campaign when they too face Atletico Madrid, at Kingsmeadow on March 3.