Thomas Tuchel claims Chelsea's win over Manchester City will boost confidence ahead of this month's Champions League final - but insists the victory will not impact the European encounter.
The Blues picked up a smash-and-grab comeback win at the Etihad Stadium thanks to Marcos Alonso's stoppage-time winner after Hakim Ziyech had cancelled out Raheem Sterling's opener earlier on in the match.
The two sides will meet on May 29 for an all-English Champions League final with Chelsea having won the last two encounters between the teams - the other being last month's FA Cup semi-final triumph at Wembley.
But Tuchel claims both his and Chelsea's recent form over Pep Guardiola side will have no bearing over the match in three weeks' time.
Speaking about the importance of Saturday's result, Tuchel told Sky Sports: 'It gives us confidence because it's all about the performance.
'This result won't change much as the (Champions League) final is a very unique game, you can't predict what will happen and we need to be prepared. We both will have chances.
'We arrive with the knowledge that we are capable of beating them, that's what we have now and this won't change much to Istanbul.'
Towards the end of a cagey first-half, City sprung into life when Sterling profited from an Andreas Christensen error to put the home side, who needed one more win to seal the Premier League title, in front on 44 minutes.
Guardiola's men then wasted a golden chance to double the lead before the interval when Sergio Aguero scooped a horrible Panenka penalty into the arms of grateful Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.
Tuchel's Blues then came out of the second-half firing on all cylinders and deservedly equalised when Ziyech slammed home past Ederson from inside the box.
And amid end-to-end action at the Etihad, Alonso won the match at the death when his unorthodox shot flew into the net in the final minute of stoppage time.
German boss Tuchel admitted that his side were fortunate in some aspects on Saturday, including Aguero's shock-horror spot-kick, but insists Chelsea deserved the three points.
Tuchel added: 'What a performance in second half. If they score the penalty maybe it's over before it really starts and then you go to half time 2-0 with no chances to come back. I was impressed with the reaction in the second half and think we deserved to win in the second half.
'When you're 1-0 down at the Etihad you need a bit of luck, some decisions, but it goes like this we had many half chances and chances. A big congratulations to the team for the second half.
'We had more control, confidence, the first goal helped us. We could play more physical and recover the balls higher. It was a physical battle and we increased our motivation.'
The result lifts Chelsea into third in the Premier League table, six points ahead of fifth-placed West Ham in the race for the top-four. David Moyes' Hammers have just four games to make up the five-point gap to Leicester in fourth.
Princespark6
726
Since Tuchel came to Chelsea and played against ManCity they have rotated all there players in the two matches played and Chelsea won them all, can some give mea reason to be afraid to Face Manchester City in the Champions Leagueβs final when Chelsea Road to this Final has been the Hardest way and we have been in this Finals on 2 occasions previously before now. Manchester City only played PSG , Dortmund and Bayern Moncheglabach before getting here while Chelsea have defeated 13th times Heavy Europeβs Champions and Another Champions League Winner Team in the name of FC.Porto and also 2times finalists which is ATM before they advance to this Current finals . I think with this little point of mine i can be able to stand behind Tuchel and his Boys to lift this Trophy with ease . π you all
AbrahamEllie
699
Tuchel is the new Jet Li in the soccer world πππ
mobola36
641
Tuchel: did you see that coming? Guardiola: not really, sir!!!
vizamnoptz
558
Chelsea in May demolition
jibreal242
546
If Chelsea win the Champions League, then in the last 5 years N'Golo Kante will have won 2 Premier Leagues, an FA Cup, a World Cup, a Europa League and a Champions League π All under five different managers π³
Pete22
451
Chelsea will stop city from winning the champions league πππππtheyβll have to wait another decade ππππΌcity city are so sick of the lot of your team π―π―π―π₯±π₯±π₯±
siudelpz
365
Say it again, it is comming your way.... You will beat them again for third times, to take the Uefa trophy... That will be the time they will sack their genius football manager.... πππππ€£πππ€£ππππ€£π€£
Charlesugwu
202
The man Tuchel just made his Chelsea boys to no one. Exactly what Arsenal kids lack. They're afraid of even millipede crawling on the pitch
Beautifulboy
11
Tuchel is the new Jet Li in the soccer world πππ
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Lol. You guys will soon start abusing him.