Tuchel hails Chelsea’s ‘solidarity in Man City win
Chelsea head coach, Thomas Tuchel, hailed the willingness of his players to fight for each other after ending Manchester City’s quest for an unprecedented quadruple at Wembley.
Hakim Ziyech fired the Blues to a fourth FA Cup final in five years, converting Timo Werner’s cross 10 minutes into the second half and Chelsea absorbed the late City onslaught.
Speaking ahead of Saturday’s encounter, Tuchel revealed that “85 per cent” of his training sessions are focused on attacking movement, ball possession and the creation of chances. But there is no denying that Chelsea have become defensively more solid since he replaced Frank Lampard.
Indeed, since Tuchel’s first game in charge in January, no side in the top five European leagues have kept more than the Blues’ 14 clean sheets in all competitions. It is just two defeats in 19 games, with Tuchel becoming the first ever German manager to reach the FA Cup final.
“Football is very complex, so a good defence is also playing a good ball possession,” Tuchel said. “It is a well-deserved clean sheet today, which is what makes me very proud.
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“We were not just lucky to escape. We didn’t sit back and defend in the box. We worked hard for it. You can feel the bond and the solidarity, the guys are ready to cover for each other.
“Altogether we wanted to be brave today and have a courage game with the ball and against the ball – we did it, so I am happy.”
All eyes were on Wembley as Pep Guardiola’s runaway Premier League leaders faced Tuchel’s improving side in a heavyweight semi-final clash that could yet be repeated in the Champions League showpiece.
Ziyech’s second-half strike secured a 1-0 win under the arch, where Tuchel’s first-ever victory against former Bundesliga foe Guardiola means it is shaping up to be a memorable end to the season for the Blues.