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Chelsea-Porto: pragmatism, rigor, speech, how Tuchel put the Blues back on track

2021-04-12T15:55:53.221Z


Chelsea calmly approach their quarter-final second leg of the Champions League against FC Porto after their first leg victory. And this thanks to the convincing work of Thomas Tuchel since his arrival on the bench.


One month: this is the time it took Thomas Tuchel to bounce back after his dismissal from Paris Saint-Germain at the end of December 2020. Successor of a Frank Lampard who could not find the formula after an expensive transfer window , the German coach straightened the results of the Blues.

The latter are on a favorable waiver before facing Porto in the Champions League quarterback on Tuesday (9 p.m.), after their 2-0 victory in the first leg.

Above all, Tuchel brought order to London with qualities of his own: pragmatism, intransigence, clear communication.

Do with what we have

The move to 3-4-3 since his arrival is often seen as a tactical masterstroke.

However, this choice was imposed thanks to short-term considerations and simple common sense.

“We decided on the plane how we were going to play against Wolverhampton,” for his first league match, he told

BT Sport

.

"We opted for a defense with three central to be able to defend at 5 and quickly squeeze the 5 from behind Wolverhampton."

A pattern for which he has never had a particular affection, but to which he has remained faithful because he has another major merit: with a plethora of central defenders and double piston positions on each side, the workforce of Chelsea are particularly suited to this.

Consolidating the defense was also a priority for a team that took too many goals.

“He did the right thing.

Start with matches without taking a goal and build from there, ”had congratulated Sam Allardyce, the experienced coach of West Bromwich Albion, before the only match where the London rearguard really gave in (5- loss) 2).

Former OM, César Azpilicueta and executive status at Chelsea

Do not pass anything to anyone

Arrived in minefield because he replaced Frank Lampard, Chelsea icon, Tuchel never bothered with diplomatic precautions.

By putting Mason Mount - Lampard's "darling" - on the bench for his first match and by relaunching outcasts like Marcos Alonso or Antonio Rüdiger, he quickly marked his territory.

In a position that he knows to be even more precarious than average, Tuchel has no time to lose or compromises to make.

Dissatisfied with the performance of Callum Hudson-Odoi who came into play at the break against Southampton, he replaced the player after just 31 minutes on the pitch.

And no one is spared, not even his compatriots in the workforce.

“Now is the time to fight for your place.

If you're in the squad, now is the time to fight to be on the pitch.

If you are in the field, now is the time to fight to stay there, ”he proclaimed after the victory this weekend at Crystal Palace, where he revived Christian Pulisic, long dismissed and author of a double.

A frank and direct speech

To cut to the quick and to be relentless could pass for a crisis of authoritarianism if Tuchel had not also seduced England with his frank and direct speech.

The former Paris SG coach has accepted the relationship with the media as an integral part of his job and his way of never dodging questions - without saying everything - has contributed to his growing popularity.

“Let the news come out, I'm used to it.

Nowadays, there are too many channels through which they can go out, ”he confessed, referring to an incident between Kepa and Rüdiger in training, before the first leg against Porto, which the English press was making its head for. .

Similarly, when asked about the case of Tammy Abraham, who is likely to see the Euro pass under his nose this summer because he does not play in a club, Tuchel was very honest.

"I can't make my decisions based on the personal goals of the players (...) It's great to have ambitions, but I'm Chelsea's coach, and I'm doing what's right for all of us “, He launched.

Clear decisions that can allow the Blues to regain the last four of the C1 for the first time since 2014, on condition of confirming Tuesday, in a relocated match in Seville, the clear victory obtained in the first leg (2-0).

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Source: lefigaro

All sports articles on 2021-04-12

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