Thomas Tuchel admits playing Real Madrid in Europe ‘is what you dream of as a little boy,’ and the Chelsea boss is plotting ‘adventurous football’ to get the better of Zinedine Zidane’s side in Tuesday’s Champions League semi.
The heavyweight match-up between Chelsea and Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League semi-finals has been portrayed as a ‘dream’ by Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel. Real Madrid is the tournament’s most prolific team in its long history.
Both teams are aiming for an early lead as they prepare for the Istanbul final.
Taking on Real Madrid in Europe is a ‘dream’ for Thomas Tuchel, but he does not want his Chelsea players to get starry-eyed as the two teams clash in the Champions League semi-final on Tuesday.
Chelsea was not expected to progress beyond the last-16 when they were paired with LaLiga leaders Atletico Madrid.
But Tuchel made an immediate impact, and Chelsea has since come through against Atletico and Porto to set up a thrilling last-four encounter with Real Madrid.
‘This is what you dream of as a little boy, to play international games against Real Madrid, there’s no doubt about it,’ Tuchel said on the eve of Tuesday’s game.
‘It’s a big challenge and after it, we will be smarter and better. This will be a huge experience together. We are very happy to arrive at this level.’
Tuchel took over from Frank Lampard in January and has been revolutionary in stabilizing their season and generating great success in cup competitions.
Chelsea is in the FA Cup final, where they will play Leicester, and they are also in a strong position to secure a top-four spot in the Premier League. Tuchel took over from Frank Lampard in January and has been revolutionary in stabilizing their season and generating great success in cup competitions.
Chelsea is in the FA Cup final, where they will play Leicester, and they are also in a strong position to secure a top-four spot in the Premier League.
But the immediate attention is on Real Madrid, the 13-time European champions, and Tuchel knows that meeting Zinedine Zidane’s side, which has won the Champions League three times under his leadership, means reaching the final ‘cannot be any tougher.’
‘Zidane has an incredible record, especially in the Champions League, which he won three times in a row which is pretty much impossible to do,’ Tuchel added.
‘We arrived in the semi-final, and on the highest level, we will play Real Madrid, and it cannot be harder. That’s because they are the most experienced team in this competition.
‘They will play these games with full confidence and awareness. They are on a very good run at the moment. Sixteen or so games unbeaten (it is 17). I am sure we will arrive with confidence and true inner belief.’
Chelsea head to Spain on the back of a vital win in the league away to West Ham, and Tuchel has urged his players to show immense courage and adventure on the road.
He added: ‘I hope we can play adventurous football. We can play aggressive and intense football.
‘We will fight them hard and let’s see who gets the win out of these two games.’