Thomas Tuchel has slammed Chelsea’s performance after they fell to a 1-0 defeat in their Champions League opener against Dinamo Zagreb on Tuesday evening.
Chelsea suffered a shock defeat in Croatia after Mislav Oršić’s goal, the only of the game, after 13 minutes as he outpaced Wesley Fofana to race one-on-one with Kepa Arrizabalaga and dink it over the Spain international.
The hosts managed to hold on following a stunning double save from Dinamo Zagreb goalkeeper Dominik Livaković in the second half to deny Mason Mount and Hakim Ziyech.
Advert
Five things we learned during Chelsea’s 1-0 defeat to Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League
Chelsea couldn’t find a leveller and headed back to London empty-handed and deservedly so. Another reminder for the Blues that they need to improve, quickly, otherwise run the risk of declining even more in the coming weeks.
The defeat left Tuchel angry and annoyed, with his side continuing to underperform despite his hope that their fortunes and confidence had improved since the 2-1 win over West Ham in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.
He told reporters: “I am angry at myself, I am angry at our performance.
Advert
“It's obvious that we underperform individually. I don't know where this performance today comes from.
“It's a lack of hunger, intensity, a lack of determination to win duels to actually do the things on the highest level.
"You cannot expect to win games, not in the Premier League or Champions League. We are not where we want to be.”
Advert
The 48-year-old added to BT Sport: "Too much to analyse. I’m part of it. We are clearly not where we need to be. It’s on me, on us, we need to find solutions.
"At the moment everything is missing.
"It seems like this, it’s hard to argue against it (team sinks)."
Advert
Tuchel insists he didn't underestimate Dinamo Zagreb, continuing: "Me personally not, but if we did we have a huge problem.
"I think it would be a much better atmosphere if we had all the stands full.
"The atmosphere was not key in making us underperform, it was a good atmosphere but with one stand completely clear, it was an advantage for us."
Topics: Chelsea, Champions League
Matthew Debono