https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/2021/09/13/
tuchel-on-being-addicted-to-winning-and-the-importance-of-lukaku
Tuchel on being addicted to winning and the importance of Lukaku's fast start
13 Sep 2021
Thomas Tuchel believes starting a new Champions League campaign as the
defending champions does not diminish Chelsea's motivation to triumph
again in European football's biggest club competition because winning in
elite-level sport is an addictive feeling.
https://i.imgur.com/4MGURZg.jpg
Ahead of our group stage getting underway at Stamford Bridge tomorrow
night against Zenit St Peterburg, the boss was understandably asked to
reflect on the achievement of lifting the trophy in Porto back in May and
whether the experience had changed the mentality of himself or his players.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Tuchel explained the key
difference between winning and losing those big games, citing the added
belief and togetherness it can generate among the group as particularly
key factors in following success with success.
'In the end, nothing is like winning,' he said. 'I reached a final with my
team [Paris Saint-Germain] the season before and I had the feeling that it
was a big achievement but to not do the last step is a huge difference
when you realise what it means when you do it.
https://i.imgur.com/eH7eYYz.jpg
'It's about the joy and experience, the confidence that your team gets by
winning it. I experienced this for the first time when we were able to win
the German title with Mainz Under-19s and I was in charge as the head
coach. We had the feeling that to qualify for a semi-final and final was
already a big achievement but when you do the last step, it really changes
everything,
'The most important thing is not to look back but to keep the hunger
because that feeling creates a hunger for more and more. It's addictive.
This game is about winning because winning changes your feeling, it
changes your work atmosphere in the building and gives you natural
confidence.
https://i.imgur.com/XQhJ4jX.jpg
Tuchel got his hands on European football's greatest prize last season
'At the same time, it's absolutely necessary to forget it and start from
scratch, to show this mentality again. This is what I demand from myself
and from everybody else around, that we don't change in terms of hunger.
We will have this experience together forever and we can create a bond out
of it but it's about looking ahead in sport and taking up the challenges
which are coming and the next one is tomorrow.'
The Blues have added the firepower of Romelu Lukaku to our attack since
that triumphant night in Portugal, with the Belgian having hit the ground
running with three goals in as many matches at the start of his second
spell at Stamford Bridge.
After hearing his striker speak about the emotion of finally netting at
the Bridge, Tuchel reflected on the importance of getting goals and
confidence in the bag early on in the campaign.
'He dreamt about it since being a little boy and now he has the
opportunity to come back as the number nine, the go-to guy up front and be
the one to help the team with goals,' continued Tuchel.
https://i.imgur.com/SGBGsEx.jpg
Tuchel congratulates Lukaku after his brace at the Bridge on Saturday
'He's not shy of speaking out loud so we are very lucky that we can share
the experience with him because he's a nice guy and a tough competitor.
'We all know how important it is to have a good start for strikers and to
not wait too long for their goals so we're very happy that he helps us
with goals and he has this experience so early in the season. Hopefully he
can continue tomorrow to score and be decisive for us.'