Thomas Tuchel has appealed for the Chelsea fans to be “better” and make the most of the fact they are allowed into Stamford Bridge by creating a special atmosphere for the visit of Real Madrid on Wednesday night.
Chelsea supporters were able to buy tickets for the first leg of the club’s Champions League quarter-final, ensuring there will be a full house at Stamford Bridge, unlike in the Premier League where the operating licence still prevents non-season ticket holders from attending.
Without a full crowd, the Stamford Bridge atmosphere was flat for Saturday’s Premier League defeat to Brentford and head coach Tuchel wants those fans who have been able to buy a ticket to make it count against Madrid.
Chelsea beat Madrid on their way to Champions League success last season in two behind closed door games, but Tuchel knows home advantage could play a vital part in this season’s quarter-final with supporters back in stadiums.
“We absolutely need it [the crowd],” said Tuchel. “We need to be better on pitch, but we also need the crowd to be better. Everyone has to be on front foot for a big opponent on big occasions for the quarter-finals.
“We normally have these atmospheres in evening games and big matches. In the Champions League matches, they gave us a huge push in energy and atmosphere. We needed it. It’s crucial in these games. It’s much harder to play against the spectators as well. We felt it in Malmo and St Petersburg. We will face it again in Madrid next week and everyone needs to arrive tomorrow to support us.”
Tuchel also warned that last season’s success against Madrid means nothing to Chelsea’s chances of progressing to the last four of the competition.
“Last season has nothing to do with this game,” said Tuchel. “We didn’t look at it in our preparations. We looked at their last matches, but not last year. There is not a point to prove or whatever. We overcame Real last season, but it has nothing to do with this game. It’s a new coach and a new team.”
Madrid arrived in London on Tuesday without their head coach, former Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti, but the Italian has not given up hope of testing negative for Covid in time to join up with his squad on the day of the game.
Tuchel missed the semi-finals of the Club World Cup through Covid before meeting up with his team for the final and, although he believes it would give Madrid a boost, he hopes Ancelotti can be in the opposite dug-out.
“It does affect the squad, but nowadays you are in charge of virtual media so I am pretty sure he can do team talks and stuff,” said Tuchel. “But it’s always much better to be there as a direct influence.
“What coaches love most is to be in the middle of the group and constantly communicating with words, a smile and a hug. It’s strange when the coach is missing. I hope he still makes it and 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 in these games.”
