Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel has revealed what he wants to see from his side in their Champions League opener against Dinamo Zagreb.
The Blues are set to play their first game in the illustrious competition this season away from home as they prepare to face the Croatian Champions.
Chelsea have been drawn in Group E this season, with AC Milan and FC Salzburg also joining them as they compete for a place in the knockout stages.
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Tuchel’s side will be looking to improve upon their finish in the Champions League last season, having last won it in 2021.
They were knocked out in the quarter-finals, despite a spirited comeback against Real Madrid in the second leg at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Ahead of the tie against Dinamo Zagreb, Tuchel revealed what he wants to see from his side in the hopes of commencing their European campaign with a win.
When speaking to the media, he said: “They are used to winning, it’s a winning team. They are used to be on the top. That shapes a certain mentality.
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“They made it through the qualification which is never easy. They deserve to be here and I’m pretty sure they will plan to play a very technical, emotional game against us. They have individual quality like always, like every team of Dinamo Zagreb and any Croatian team. A lot of individual quality.
“Upfront they have speed and dribbling, on the wings. They will use the role as an underdog to over-perform and make us underperform. This will be their plan. We are aware of that.
“We are ourselves in a moment where we need to improve, we are not fully happy with the results, with our performances. We need to take the next step. It’s Champions League, very exciting.
“We are very aware what the challenge is to play in a first match away in a group stage. It’s difficult. It can end up in complicated situations but I think it’s very important that we accept it and play a humble match, don’t get stuck in our own expectations.
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“We will accept the fight and the challenge and then we can also have the belief and trust we are able to win. We need to perform for sure.”
The clash against Dinamo Zagreb will be a special occasion for one of Chelsea’s key players.
Mateo Kovacic came through the academy at the Croatian side and broke into their first team in 2010.
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He will therefore be returning to the club where it all began, and Tuchel is pleased to see him make his way back into the side after recovering from injury.
“Kova is a fantastic player. On top of it he is a fantastic person and personality.
“Unbelievable team player. It’s a pleasure to be coach of him, for everybody to be his teammate. Kova is a fantastic guy and it’s very important he’s with us. It’s very emotional for him, he’s very happy to be back here.
“It’s his city, his country for which he plays with a lot of pride. We are happy that he’s back, he’s finding his shape. We are happy he’s back on the pitch and training.”
Topics: Chelsea, Thomas Tuchel, Champions League
Robert Calcutt