Thomas Tuchel: “It is only Mateo Kovacic we are missing”

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel spoke to the press ahead of his side’s first-leg Champions League clash against Real Madrid at Estadio Alfredo di Stefano on Tuesday.

Tuchel gave an update on his squad’s health, spoke about his team’s form, and even discuss Eden Hazard’s return.

“It is a very short update,” Tuchel said of his team’s injury list. “because it is only Mateo Kovacic we are missing. Everyone else is available and everyone else will be in the squad for tomorrow.”

Chelsea are coming into this game with a win over West Ham, which has given them extra fuel.

“It is the best way to arrive in a Champions League match, with a crucial win on our back,” Tuchel said. “It is another experience that we have in our luggage, and it makes the bond very strong and close and tomorrow we need clearly a top-level team performance when we fight with Real Madrid for a place in the final.”

“The level is so high when you arrive in the semi-final of the Champions League. We should not expect crazy things from us but the same again on the highest level and we have the experience together, we have tough matches, tight and very important matches recently in Premier League and FA Cup.

“It is a good moment to play this match and we want to play hungry and adventurous. We maybe lack a bit of experience in a semi-final but we can compensate with hunger and enthusiasm.”

Finally, Tuchel also spoke about Eden Hazard’s return to the Real Madrid team:

“Eden is a top-quality player and he was the key player here for many years, in the hardest league, so I have the biggest respect for him. Of course we talk a lot because he was a big player here and many people know him really well.

“He is fit and he had a comeback in the last game for some minutes to be ready tomorrow. If he plays I am pretty sure he will want to make a point; let’s see. Real have so many quality players we have to face the challenge with confidence.”