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Tag: Kovacic

  • Tuchel, Kovacic deny celebrating Chelsea draw with Porto

    Tuchel, Kovacic deny celebrating Chelsea draw with Porto

    Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has denied claims from Porto that they celebrated being drawn with them for the Champions League quarterfinals.

    The accusation came as a surprise to Tuchel.

    “In the Champions League, we wouldn’t celebrate any draw. We respect every team,” said the German.

    “We come from a competition in which we are able to lose against the team 19th in the table 5-2 (West Bromwich). So we know how humbly we have to approach every game.

    “In the quarter-finals of the Champions League, if you wish for an opponent you will lose yourself in crazy mind games.”

    Porto defender Pepe has made the claim this week.

    Blues midfielder Mateo Kovacic also said: “It’s strange to hear that from Pepe because I played with him for three years. I don’t know what he means or if he actually said it. But of course not, we didn’t celebrate.

    “Me? I didn’t celebrate because when I played before with Real Madrid I know that in these stages there are no lucky opponents or bad opponents.”

  • Chelsea momentum can drive us to trophy glory – Kovacic

    Chelsea momentum can drive us to trophy glory – Kovacic

    Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic feels the momentum they have can drive them to trophy glory this season.

    The Croatian has been a shining light in the Chelsea midfield since manager Thomas Tuchel arrived in late January, with the head coach selecting the former Real Madrid man on a regular basis across all competitions during an impressive 14 game unbeaten run under the German boss.

    “The new manager has come in, with clear ideas of what he wants and the team responded very, very well to all that he asked of us in how he wants to play,” said Kovacic in the Chelsea matchday programme.

    “I think we are doing very well, but the most important thing is to keep going, winning games, and to be as high as possible in the Premier League this year. Obviously, a team like Chelsea wants either to win or be in the top four, which is important.

    “In football, if you approach the games and train well, everything can change in one or two weeks, and that’s what happened. We were 10th and I was really a little bit worried as well because, to be in that position and to not reach the top four, would be a bad, bad season for us.

    “But now we have come back, and we need to have the same approach as we did before – train good, approach every game well and I hope it will end well for us this season.”