Thomas Tuchel outlines how Chelsea will play against Real Madrid with key midfielder ruled out

Chelsea will be with out Mateo Kovacic for the second leg of their Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid however Antonio Rudiger is match for tomorrow’s recreation.

Kovacic has missed the previous three weeks after sustaining a hamstring harm within the last coaching session forward of the quarter-final second leg against Porto.

Rudiger, in the meantime, suffered a facial harm in final week’s 1-1 draw against Real Madrid and missed the weekend Premier League victory over Fulham.

But the German centre-back educated yesterday in a specifically made masks and Tuchel says Rudiger is able to return when Real tackle the Blues at Stamford Bridge.

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Speaking in his pre-match press convention, Tuchel mentioned: “I can provide the standing proper now which is that Mateo will not be within the squad. I consider Toni will be enjoying in a masks as a result of he educated yesterday with it.

“Everybody else educated and is in coaching right this moment. So hopefully we will haven’t any new accidents or re-injuries from right this moment’s coaching. That means all people is accessible aside from Mateo Kovacic.”

Chelsea head into tomorrow’s recreation with the narrowest of benefits; Christian Pulisic’s away objective within the Spanish capital means a goalless draw is sufficient for Tuchel’s aspect to progress.

In the primary leg, Los Blancos head coach Zinedine Zidane opted to match the Blues’ three-man defensive system however with Ferland Mendy and Sergio Ramos anticipated to return, there’s the likelihood the La Liga giants revert to their tried and trusted 4-3-3.

Tuchel was requested forward of the sport what form he anticipated Zidane to make use of and the Chelsea head coach was insistent that did not overly matter within the grand scheme of the competition.

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He mentioned: “I’m undecided in the event that they will play once more in 5-3-2 or in the event that they will swap to their extra acquainted 4-3-3. That relies upon possibly on the final assessments for Mendy and Ramos right this moment. From this resolution, issues change.

“Any formation has its strengths and weaknesses, it is at all times like this. In the semi-final of a Champions League, I consider it isn’t in regards to the formation, it isn’t about what we play, what Real Madrid performs. It’s about how we play it.

“What depth do we have now? What perception do we have now? Are we courageous sufficient? Do we play courageously sufficient? Do we play at our prime stage throughout the formation?

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“There are at all times tactical selections however for me in these large video games, it is extra in regards to the little selections.

“The particular person tactical behaviour, the tactical behaviour with teams and mixtures. Can we possibly isolate in a two against two, a two against one, a 3 against two, and how will we clear up these conditions.

“And can we keep away from being remoted in these conditions? As I mentioned, it is extra about how we play than what we play. It’s the identical for Real Madrid. We do not know precisely what formation they will use so we will absolutely give attention to us and our personal efficiency.”

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