Craig Burley has slammed Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel for his lack of 'fighting spirit' in the loss against Real Madrid in the Champions League quarterfinals.
The defending champions were outplayed and dominated for the entirety of the game by the 13-time Champions in the 3-1 win at Stamford Bridge. Los Blancos striker Karim Benzema scored his second hat-trick of the UCL season to help the Spanish giants gain the upper hand in the two-legged tie.
In the post-match press conference, Thomas Tuchel claimed that the tie seemed to be over and that his team might bow out of the Champions League. However, Craig Burley has slammed the German manager for having made that comment despite the second leg being left to be played.
The football pundit has questioned Tuchel for his defeatist comments, saying that Tuchel's words will have a negative impact in the dressing room. He said:
“That’s just not a very good signal to be sending out after a poor performance and after being outplayed. They’ve thrown the towel in the Premier League title race, pretty much.''
Speaking to ESPN FC after the match on Wednesday, Burley said:
''The good news for Chelsea fans is that their manager has chucked the towel in, so he’s sat in the corner of the ring blubbering to himself. It’s not exactly the message that you want and there’ll be people out there who’ll think this is tactics, psychology… I don’t think it’s completely dead and buried.''
Burley believes Chelsea still have a foot in the game as the away-goal rule stands canceled. He also warned that Tuchel has to make his players believe in a potential comeback. He added:
“I think it’s unlikely, but I don’t think it’s impossible. Bearing in mind there’s no away goals rule anymore, those three goals are not worth as much as they were. I don’t think you should be sitting there as a manager in a press conference with a two-goal deficit saying, ‘is there a chance in the second leg? No’.''
Chelsea new owner uncertainty and team's depleting performances might force Thomas Tuchel to move out
Uncertainties surrounding Chelsea's new owners and the continued downfall in the team's performances might force Tuchel to move out. Thomas Tuchel arrived at Stamford Bridge after getting sacked by PSG despite winning the Ligue 1 title the same year.
In an interview with The Sun, Glenn Hoddle said that Chelsea would be mad to let Thomas Tuchel leave.
The German manager has had a brilliant season with the Blues as he led the club to their second Champions League title in 2021.
However, with the announcement of Roman Abramovich leaving as Chelsea owner, things have taken a sharp turn. Uncertainties have grown around the manager and the players about the new owners. All of this, if not resolved soon, might force Thomas Tuchel to move out.
tioeiklp
1
well Tuchel said no chance because there's no team better at game management than real Madrid just ask Liverpool. plus Chelsea has a weak attack and that has been our problem all season.
bumeopuy
1
playing games with real Madrid is like going to war you have to be honest private all types of attack...because if not so you will be hot
thuuuuttt maaki chut... you don't sound tough at all
Kuyaclnyz
0
stupid people one game lost is end of the world..
muacnrstyz
0
Many soccer pundits and fans knows nothing about the game but always criticizing What formation or tactics do you want him to play, were they expecting him to come out and take all the blame, when he played his best players with their best tactics, whether 3 back or four back. Mendy making a whole lot of mistakes thinking he’s also better. He actually criticized them to save his job, if the players bad next game, he will just be like, I told you all The second reason, it’s a form of motivation for the players to prove him wrong, after these words and the players are unable to prove him wrong.
He played all his best players but not the best tactics. The formation was 3:5:2 on pitch against his traditional winning 3:4:3 formation that's shown on paper and football pages, Mason was in the midfield almost throughout the game instead of playing as a right winger, and that is enough to cost a fortune. The coach is to blame, but all the same, congrats to the winning team, we try again in the return leg. No impossibility in life, though what will be will be
Hahdnorz
0
mind games all around
Jentle18
1
Many soccer pundits and fans knows nothing about the game but always criticizing What formation or tactics do you want him to play, were they expecting him to come out and take all the blame, when he played his best players with their best tactics, whether 3 back or four back. Mendy making a whole lot of mistakes thinking he’s also better. He actually criticized them to save his job, if the players bad next game, he will just be like, I told you all The second reason, it’s a form of motivation for the players to prove him wrong, after these words and the players are unable to prove him wrong.
nowadortz
0
playing games with real Madrid is like going to war you have to be honest private all types of attack...because if not so you will be hot
Calm down
Vicsammy
0
Barcelona beat this club 4:0 so why does Tuchel think there’s no chance for them in the second leg and why did he admitted defeat already!! There’s something fishy or is he playing mind game?
Very good this is coming from a Madrid fans meaning it’s football and anything can happen like Barcelona vs Liverpool some years back
Ameerul24
0
Barcelona beat this club 4:0 so why does Tuchel think there’s no chance for them in the second leg and why did he admitted defeat already!! There’s something fishy or is he playing mind game?
and brentford beat this club 4-1
Vicsammy
0
Barcelona beat this club 4:0 so why does Tuchel think there’s no chance for them in the second leg and why did he admitted defeat already!! There’s something fishy or is he playing mind game?
Vinadenty
0
SOO MUCH POLITICS IN AWA BEUTYFULL GAME. THEY ARE DESTROYING IT😭 FROM OFFICIATING TO EVERYTHING 😠
Deshina1
0
When they are doing well no one will talk Better day show up now He lack of this and that Come do am If e easy
idris19mukhtar
1
playing games with real Madrid is like going to war you have to be honest private all types of attack...because if not so you will be hot
CollinsEfosaEhioro
1
now that everybody have access to Internet,,they just feel like they are in thesame room with the coach...he's entitled to is comment...leave this man alone...he beat Madrid all the time..