Thomas Tuchel has discussed his record against Manchester City ahead of Chelsea’s Premier League ‘six pointer’ against the champions tomorrow.
Chelsea welcome Manchester City to Stamford Bridge tomorrow lunchtime, in a fixture that will see the league leaders take on Pep Guardiola’s defending champions in West London.
The two teams met in last season’s Champions League final with Chelsea emerging victorious, part of a run of three victories in relatively quick succession against City in 2021.
Tuchel will be aiming for a fourth consecutive win against Guardiola’s side tomorrow, but is well aware of the task facing the Blues having admitted his side ‘suffered’ during their previous triumphs.
“Not so long ago there were a lot of voices that told me I don’t know how to beat Pep,” Tuchel said at his pre-match press conference.
“If I look at it honestly I see the last three games as three 50/50 matches. I’m not only talking about before the matches but during the matches it could have been any outcome. Little details decide and you need a bit of luck. I expect nothing else than a 50/50 match tomorrow.
“We want to fight hard to be the guys who have a better outcome. We did it several times with this team and we know how much we suffered also in these matches.
“I have the highest respect for Pep. I’m a huge admirer of the impact he has had. This is something I hugely admire and this will never change. Look at the trophies, look at the influence. There is absolutely no reason why I should ask myself if I’m a better coach or not. I’m a better coach today than I was yesterday and this is enough.”
Tuchel was keen to downplay the significance of tomorrow’s clash on the title race this season, despite Chelsea possessing the chance to move six points clear of the champions.
“Before we talk about the result we need to focus on the input and what we need to deliver. We need to accept that you need the momentum and a bit of luck on your side. Tomorrow after the game we can judge what result it is and if it’s deserved.
“If we win tomorrow we will not be crowned as champions and if city win they will not be champions and we will not be in depression. It’s a match we like to watch at this kind of level. We worked hard for it and we feel ready for this kind of competition and we are very well aware what it takes to have the opportunity to beat them once again.”
The German did suggest that the opportunity to ‘steal three points from a direct competitor’ sets tomorrow’s clash up as a ‘six pointer’, but says it is too early in the season for the result to have a significant impact on either side’s fortunes.
“It is a six pointer between two teams who are clearly rivals for the top four but it’s too early,” he said. “It will not be a decision tomorrow but any team can steal three points from a direct competitor so you can call it this.”
