Thomas Tuchel admits he would prefer to face Real Madrid rather than Liverpool in the Champions League semi-finals after Chelsea reached the last four for the first time since 2014.
Chelsea were beaten by Porto on the night in the home leg of their quarter-final in Seville, Mehdi Taremi’s scoring a stunning injury time overhead kick for Sergio Conceicao’s side.
But Tuchel’s men had done the hard work in the first leg, winning 2-0 in the away game which was also staged in Seville to render Porto’s late goal irrelevant.
Chelsea will now face the winners of the Liverpool and Madrid tie, which the Spaniards lead 3-1 going into Wednesday's second leg at Anfield.
Tuchel said: ‘In general I like not to play against teams from your same league in the Champions League as it gives more of a feeling of a European competition but that is the only thing. The game is far from over but I will watch it for sure.
‘Everything is possible. Liverpool are very strong at home so we take what we get. It is a good situation for us.’
Hailing Chelsea’s progress, Tuchel said: ‘The semi-finals is a big achievement. It’s a big step to be in the semi-final.
'We’re not used to being there but once you are there you play for the final.’
While Tuchel admitted the game was not a spectacle, Chelsea produced a professional display to keep Porto at arms’ length until it was too late for them to mount a comeback that took the game to extra time.
Tuchel said: ‘It is also part of the performance to not let your opponent perform.
'Today was the day to hang in and show all the effort, all the intensity, all the team spirit, that’s needed if you don’t have the experience, if you have a young team, it’s the moment to be together.
‘We talked about what we needed to do if you feel nervous and that is to use your body, work hard and make yourself sweat. This is what we did.’
Mo-mujahid
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Chelsea fan after Tuchel say he would prefer Madrid
Mcwizzy
714
Zidane be like
D1-ng
594
An adage in sport says that whoever crosses the line is the actual winner, and until then all contesters are virtual winners. Dear Madrid fans, if you are so dumb to read the article bf commenting, then going by your line of reasoning Tuchel is still right... If he speaks like u guys assumed then that's bcos he is a qualified candidate to play and win the next game but You guys shld at least beat Liverpool first and then join the talk, if one finger points at Tuchel then four is pointing at you bcos u guys undermine Liverpool to think u have qualify for the round.. Let me tell my Madrid guys a secret, pls dnt tell anyone ooo... "Liverpool are full of surprises" They are still your wounded lion if u remember, so pray hard and concentrate and let we who have the right to talk TALK!
ballubhagandar
580
All I can see is some overconfident Madridistas here.. guys you need to chill out!! we haven't won anything yet and your overconfident makes our team's image in bad light!!! Hala Madrid
sehajbains_02
556
And what if Zidane announced in dressing room that 👉😌 Tomorrow is final [Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
DenisTchetgen
535
I really don't understand what's going on here with some fans esp from RM..TT clearly stated his reason on why he would prefer RM over liverpool and he still said he will take what he get whether it's Liv or RM and there are some brainless fans here that jumped to commenting without reading the article [Crylaugh][Crylaugh]...
Monarch_Kumra
438
Some people are so dumb on this app. They comment without reading the whole article and think they're cool 🤦🏻♂️😂 Tuchel clearly said that to get the European feeling he would prefer Real Madrid over Liverpool, otherwise it might feel a bit like the EPL 🤷🏻♂️ And Madrid fans here are thinking that Tuchel is undermining Real.. I mean whay the f guys 😂😂
Ossboy
366
Chelsea fans right now: tuchel are u crazy about RM ?????[Crylaugh]
TMobile
354
We're still here