https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/2022/05/13/
tuchel-expects-another-tight-final-against-liverpool
Tuchel expects another tight final against Liverpool
13 May 2022
Thomas Tuchel has predicted more of the same as we face Liverpool for the
fourth time this season, anticipating a closely matched game which could
be decided by fine margins.
https://i.imgur.com/rl6vShZ.jpg
All three of our previous fixtures with the Reds in 2021/22 have ended all
square, with draws home and away in the Premier League followed by a
penalty shoot-out loss after 120 goalless minutes at Wembley in February's
Carabao Cup final.
Ahead of our next meeting, back at Wembley for tomorrow's FA Cup final,
our head coach is expecting another close match between two evenly matched
teams.
'Anything else will surprise me,' said Tuchel. 'It started with last
season's win at Anfield and very early in this season with a draw at
Anfield, then a draw at Stamford Bridge and then a draw over 120 minutes
and 20-something penalties.
https://i.imgur.com/dwIrc8J.jpg
'So very close matches, very intense matches and we needed always our very
highest level to compete. But we found it in the matches and I don't
expect crazy new things from them, and actually also not from us. So the
game is on tomorrow, it's a big final, a big competition and we want to be
spot on.'
Another tight match between Chelsea and Liverpool also means one moment of
magic, one refereeing decision or one mistake could determine the
destination of the FA Cup trophy, with the German acknowledging his
players will need to be focused throughout with such fine margins
involved.
'I think it can be anything. It can be a shot from the post and it's
deflected, from the post out or post in. Look at the big chances we had in
the Carabao Cup and they had big chances. It can be a set-piece, it can be
who gets the lead first, who gets a grip.
'You have to be spot on in these kinds of matches, which were such close
matches lately with decisions, sometimes red cards, sometimes a big
mistake. We came back at Stamford Bridge, they came back at Anfield with a
penalty and we had to dig in with 10 men. So a lot of different stories.
https://i.imgur.com/Eiq1oiH.jpg
Kovacic's brilliant volley helped us come from behind to draw 2-2 with
Liverpool in the Premier League at Stamford Bridge
'That's why I think we cannot focus on one single point, but it will be
down to margins and it will be down to details within the match. We are
facing one of the very best coaches and one of the very best teams in the
world right now, this is obvious and proven over the last years and recent
weeks, and we are up for the fight.'
Despite the many successes we have enjoyed under Tuchel since he arrived
in west London in January last year, lifting the Champions League, UEFA
Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup trophies, this represents a chance for
our head coach to claim his first piece of domestic silverware in England.
Following defeats to Leicester City in last season's FA Cup final and
Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final earlier this year, he is obviously
eager to get his hands on this trophy, but feels this game will not
single-handedly determine whether Chelsea can count 2021/22 as a
successful campaign.
'First of all it's a big achievement to be in these finals and there has
to be unfortunately a loser. It's a special energy, it's a special
atmosphere, a special momentum that you have to catch and for sure you
need a piece of luck to go away with the trophy. We are aware of that but
we feel again well prepared and the atmosphere is right, the momentum is
okay after the reaction in Leeds.
https://i.imgur.com/8q1KtUs.jpg
Tuchel is hoping it will be third time lucky after two unsuccessful
Wembley finals
'We have the chance tomorrow to win something domestically. We have been
to a Carabao Cup final, we have won European trophies and the Club World
Cup trophy. There are a lot of teams out there who have a worse season
than our season.
'So I would not get carried away and say we have to win it, but we will
try everything and it changes a lot if you play a final or if you win a
final, I can tell you. It's a huge difference and we need to do everything
to be happy with ourselves and that we leave everything out there on the
pitch. This is what we did in the Carabao Cup and nothing new, we need a
bit of luck to be on our side, but we will push hard for it.'
The Blues boss also confirmed that, due to Government sanctions meaning
the club was unable to purchase tickets for our Academy players and their
families to attend the FA Cup final at Wembley as usual, the senior squad
and staff had decided to provide them with tickets instead using their own
money.
'We wanted to,' explained Tuchel. 'It's a big competition and it's one
club. Normally the club would buy these tickets to provide them for the
parents and the players of the Academy. So we stepped in and bought the
tickets for them.'