Chelsea boss Tuchel confident about penalty practice ahead of Champions League final
According to the Evening Standard, Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has expressed confidence over his team’s ability from the penalty spot ahead of the UEFA Champions League final.
Chelsea face off against Premier League rivals Manchester City in the biggest game of the season later tonight, as the two teams square off in the Champions League final. The clash, initially scheduled to take place in Turkey, has been moved to Estadio Do Dragao in Porto.
Chelsea made it all the way to the finals after overcoming challenges from the likes of Atletico Madrid, FC Porto and Real Madrid in the knockout stages. Deserving of their place in the blockbuster clash, the Blues, according to the manager, are leaving no stones unturned in their preparations.
Covering all bases
Indeed, Chelsea have trained for the eventuality that the game goes to penalty shootouts, and Tuchel is confident that his side’s practice will pay off in case that does happen.
“We always practise penalties when we face a match where it’s possible it could go to penalties. Can we simulate the pressure, the fatigue, the occasion, how it will feel tomorrow? No, we cannot.
“But still we believe we can take care about some patterns, and about a certain rhythm and certain habits during penalties. Which we did. And honestly, the penalty shootout was fantastic in terms of quality from the takers, I’ve never seen anything like this – 20 penalties in a row and no misses.
Tuchel went on to add that the team had finalised on who would be taking the penalties.
“And so, so strong, and so well taken. And we have identified the guys who should take the penalties for us, but I don’t know who in the end will be on the pitch. So we need to be well aware, but we are prepared and if we go to penalties we go in there together.”
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Only earlier this week we saw how preparation for such a situation can make or break a team’s fortunes as Manchester United stumbled against Villarreal in the UEFA Europa League final on penalty shootouts. So, it bodes well that the team has been working hard on that aspect. However, the Blues must try to make sure that the game does not reach such a stage at all.