Thomas Tuchel 'Attacks' His Chelsea Players After 3-3 Draw Against Zenit

Thomas Tuchel 'Attacks' His Chelsea Players After 3-3 Draw Against Zenit

Nomso Obiajuru
updated at April 12, 2023 at 7:52 PM
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  • Chelsea conceded a stoppage-time equaliser to finish as Group H runners up behind table-toppers Juventus
  • Tuchel observed that his side had a tendency to “change behavior’ when they take the lead
  • In his post-match press conference, the German urged his side to stop focusing on the scoreboard

Thomas Tuchel recently launched a scathing, yet rare attack on his Chelsea players after an entertaining 3-3 draw against Zenit St Petersburg in the Champions League.

Thomas Tuchel
Tuchel says his side changed behaviour based on the scoreline after the 3-3 draw vs Zenit. Photo by Maksim Konstantinov.
Source: Getty Images

The Blues rounded off their group campaign on Wednesday, December 8, finishing second behind Juventus.

Things would have been very different if the London club had not conceded a last-minute equaliser.

Timo Werner opened the scoring for Chelsea in the second minute, but Zenit did well to turn the game on its head with two goals in quick sucession from Claudinho and Sardar Azmoun.

Romelu Lukaku would then go on to restore parity after an assist from Ross Barkley, before Werner once again gave his side the lead after being set up by Christian Pulisic with five minutes remaining.

Despite the impressive comeback, there was more drama late on as Zenit’s substitute Magomed Ozdoev struck a brilliant half-volley deep into added time to ensure the game ended in a stalemate.

What Tuchel said

On the dramatic draw, Tuchel said his side ‘changed behaviours’.

"We had a very good first 15 minutes and then we stopped doing the things we did in the first 15 minutes," the German observed as quoted by BBC.
"We were forgetting why we were the better team. Our behaviour changed when we had the lead and this is something we never did and we should never do.
"If you change your behaviour because of the score, you allow the possibility to get punished. It's as easy as the basics. The basics need to be pushed onto a higher level while we are in the lead."

Last 16 draw

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that the draw for the last 16 will take place in Nyon Switzerland on Monday, December 13, with Chelsea likely to face a tough side now that they finished second in their group.

The Blues are staring at the prospect of drawing Bayern Munich in the Champions League Round of 16 following their second-place finish in Group H.

The Blues were unable to finish top of the pool after their 3-3 draw against Zenit St. Petersburg in the final match of the group stages played at Krestovsky Stadium on the night of Wednesday, December 8.

Thomas Tuchel's men headed into the clash off a frustrating run of results in the Premier League, with their last outing ending in defeat against West Ham in the London derby.

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Nomso Obiajuru
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