Thomas Tuchel addressed the media ahead of Chelsea's Champions League opener with Dinamo Zagreb on Tuesday.
Chelsea play their first match of the 2022/23 Champions League campaign as they travel to Croatia to face Dinamo Zagreb.
The Blues registered a 2-1 win against West Ham on the weekend, with the three points coming in controversial fashion as VAR was the subject of criticism.
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Despite the win, there is plenty to improve on for Tuchel's side in Croatia as they prepare to begin their European campaign, looking to do better than last season's quarter-final defeat at the hands of Real Madrid.
Revealed: Chelsea's 23-man travelling squad to face Dinamo Zagreb for Champions League opener
Here's what the Chelsea head coach had to say on Monday evening in full in his pre-match press conference:
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On Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Denis Zakaria and Thiago Silva availability
“We decided with Thiago that he will have a break from the travelling and the stress after playing every minute so far in very intense matches. It was the moment to give him a break instead of putting him on the bench and having the travel issues. He takes care of his recovery.
“We had the opportunity to take everyone who was in training and available to Zagreb to do our last training. That included Denis and Auba. He had a test with his mask, felt fine, felt normal. If everything goes well today they will both be available.”
On Edouard Mendy being accused of faking injury vs West Ham
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“He’s available. I did not feel anything. I didn’t hear the accusations. You know what happened to me when I spoke about the referee. It was pretty expensive. I told you after that I will not comment anymore. This is what happens right now. I don’t respond today because I can understand his frustration (David Moyes). We leave it from there.”
On Mateo Kovacic
“Kova is a fantastic player. On top of it he is a fantastic person and personality. Unbelievable team player. It’s a pleasure to be coach of him, for everybody to be his teammate. Kova is a fantastic guy and it’s very important he’s with us. It’s very emotional for him, he’s very happy to be back here. It’s his city, his country for which he plays with a lot of pride. We are happy that he’s back, he’s finding his shape. We are happy he’s back on the pitch and training.”
On Aubameyang debut and being a ‘hero’ with a mask
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“Don’t put any ideas into Auba’s head please! Any further ideas. I’m pretty sure he has his own ones. When he scores he can celebrate. First of all, he needs to score.
“He’s very ambitious, very focused. He’s hungry to play for us and prove a point. That’s why he’s here, that’s what we felt from the first moment. He is happily invited to prove a point tomorrow.”
On Aubameyang fitness and mask
“If there will come an issue today we will not put him of course. There was no issue yesterday. I hope there will not be an issue today. Is he ready to start? Of course. He cannot play 90 minutes. It’s on us to take a decision on how we manage the minutes. He needs minutes to get his full fitness and rhythm. It’s on us to find a solution if he comes from the bench or starts.”
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On Reece James contract extension
“Of course (happy). He’s a very decisive player for us and he’s an academy player. We told you many times how important he is. I think his development is far from over. There’s a lot to learn from him and a lot to come. We are happy to have a key player with us for so many years.”
On VAR decisions and concerns
“What can I say now to be clear at the same time and not pay a fine again? Where is the line? Maybe it is better if other people talk about it. Our last three home games… I don’t need that anymore. Red cards, VAR decisions, goals given, decisions not taken where it is obvious to take. Speaking about the last game I understand the frustration, discussions about this decision. For me it’s not a 100% decision. It was against Tottenham, it’s not now. I was happy the referee got the chance to have a review of the situation on the pitch then it is his decision. We will never have a game without mistakes but at least he gave everybody the feeling that he took the decision. I understand the frustration. It’s not on me to comment too much. The quality of mistakes, nobody is happy about that.”
On Dinamo Zagreb facing ‘three’ Premier League clubs in West Ham, Tottenham and now Chelsea
“Arsenal too, no? Oh (it was 15 years ago). Does not count?”
On Dinamo Zagreb
“They are used to winning, it’s a winning team. They are used to be on the top. That shapes a certain mentality. They made it through the qualification which is never easy. They deserve to be here and I’m pretty sure they will plan to play a very technical, emotional game against us. They have individual quality like always, like every team of Dinamo Zagreb and any Croatian team. A lot of individual quality. Upfront they have speed and dribbling, on the wings. They will use the role as an underdog to over-perform and make us underperform. This will be their plan. We are aware of that. We are ourselves in a moment where we need to improve, we are not fully happy with the results, with our performances. We need to take the next step. It’s Champions League, very exciting. We are very aware what the challenge is to play in a first match away in a group stage. It’s difficult. It can end up in complicated situations but I think it’s very important that we accept it and play a humble match, don’t get stuck in our own expectations. We will accept the fight and the challenge and then we can also have the belief and trust we are able to win. We need to perform for sure.”
Featured Image Credit: AlamyTopics: Chelsea, Thomas Tuchel, Football, Champions League