THOMAS TUCHEL says Chelsea’s fans need to raise their game as much as his players if they are going to see off Real Madrid tonight.
The reigning Champions League kings are still reeling from Saturday’s shock 4-1 home defeat by Brentford, which left Stamford Bridge as flat as a pancake.
Thomas Tuchel issued a rallying cry to Chelsea fans ahead of Wednesday’s game Credit: Alamy
Chelsea fans are able to attend the match against Real Madrid Credit: Getty Chelsea supporters can attend the quarter-final first-leg tie after the Government relaxed sanctions to give the club an amended licence.
And Tuchel insists he will need everyone to be in full voice for this last-eight clash.
The Blues boss admitted: “We need to be better on the pitch than we were on Saturday but we absolutely also need the crowd to be better.
“Everyone has to be on the front foot for such a big occasion against opponents like Real Madrid because that will be crucial in this game.
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Roman Abramovich ‘begs Rush Hour director for money’ EXCLUSIVE “It’s much harder to play against the spectators as well. We felt it against Juventus and in Malmo and we will face it again in Madrid next week.
“In the Champions League the crowd gives us a huge push in terms of energy and support and we need everyone to arrive at the ground to get behind us.”
Tuchel has not forgotten how easily his team dismissed Real in last season’s Champions League semi-finals, drawing 1-1 at the Bernabeu before winning 2-0 in the return leg.
But he insists that will mean nothing this evening against the runaway Spanish league leaders who have lifted the European Cup more times than any other club — 13.
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He said: “Last season has nothing to do with this game. We didn’t even look at it in our preparations.
“We overcame Real a year ago but now it’s a new team with a new coach and we need to be at our very best if we are going to repeat that result.
“This is an incredibly hard competition to win and Real have won it more than anyone. So in terms of experience we should be very aware of the quality a team like this can produce on special occasions.
“It’s pretty special for us to play Real in a quarter- final. That’s why we feel excited but we cannot lose too much sleep thinking about where they are in Europe.”
Real arrived in London last night without coach Carlo Ancelotti, who tested positive for Covid last week and was not given the all-clear to fly.
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Moment plumes of smoke billow into the sky as 70 firefighters rush to blaze But Tuchel expects the former Chelsea boss will be able to make an emotional return to the Bridge.
He said: “I hope that Carlo still makes it. I’m told he could be here tomorrow evening. He’s a big personality and it would be nice to have him on the sidelines.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk