Thomas Tuchel In Awe Of “World Class” Lukaku
Written By Jacobs Dunga
The Chelsea manager once again relied on the brilliance of his £97.5m import to break a compact Zenit side in the champions league.
Defending champions Chelsea were given a good run for their money as Sergey Semak’s Zenit St Petersburg showed maturity and confidence in a close encounter at the Bridge.
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Many had expected the Russian champions to be swept aside but it was entirely a different ball game as Chelsea struggled especially in the opening 45 minutes. It took the brilliance of Romelu Lukaku who had been kept silent all night to bury a header to the bottom corner from a Cesar Azpilicueta cross in the 69th minute.
Tuchel couldn’t buy heap praises on his lanky striker during the post match press conference:
“The cross from Azpi was very, very good and dangerous, and difficult to defend,” Tuchel said.
“The target was the far post for Romelu, and Kai [Havertz] was also there. It was the opening, and at the same time, decisive goal, which is very, very good for us of course.
“We did not create many chances for Romelu, but he’s the type of guy who does not lose confidence or belief and that’s why he’s here, and that’s why he’s a world-class striker.
“It’s super hard, and super important to be able to do that. It’s as easy as that. You don’t find many strikers of that quality.
“The guys who are there to score and really score regularly are so, so important. There aren’t many goals in football and the goal changes the whole momentum of the match.
“It gives the whole team belief to know that one chance is enough. It’s more than only just talent that he brings. He brings belief and he takes pressure off others’ shoulders.
“He has the personality not to be impatient or to lose confidence. He does what he does and we’re very happy he’s with us.”
It could have been a difficult result to grind out but in the end the German tactician was pleased with the overall performance of his team.
“I’m happy in general with the performance, a tough match against a strong opponent,” said Tuchel.
“It was tough for us in the first half to find little gaps to accelerate the game and be dangerous in the box and create touches in the box. But we played high intensity, we had many ball recoveries.
“We had to be very focused and aware in defence, because they have a lot of individual quality. Second half we found it a bit easier to find spaces between the lines, create chances, half-chances.
“I find us very competitive, we know how to handle difficulties during matches. I liked what I saw today, because I felt the energy, the effort,and it was a strong opponent.”
Meanwhile…
Arsenal legend Lee Dixon is another one to come out in praise of Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea team, the West London club have grown leaps and bounds since the German coach replaced Frank Lampard in January.
They’ve gone on to win the champions league while becoming one of the strongest sides in Europe presently. Dixon was left impressed after their latest victory in the champions league over a stubborn Zenit side and the former player believes they’re already on a “new level.”
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live after the final whistle, Dixon said: “Chelsea have gone to a new level.
“The fact they have been playing under Tuchel for a short period of time they are starting to understand the way he wants the game to be played.
“Their mentality is changing into a winning mentality.
“To top that, they have brought in a world-class striker at the top of his game.”
With ten clean sheets in less than fifteen champions league games, Thomas Tuchel seems to be building a team that’ll dominate for years to come.
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