Thomas Tuchel has delivered his verdict on Dinamo Zagreb ahead of Chelsea's Champions League opener in Croatia.
The Blues will be hoping to take three points from the first game of the group stage, looking to build on Saturday's win against West Ham United.
Mateo Kovacic will be returning to Zagreb to face his former team, coming through the youth academy in Croatia.
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It remains to be seen as to whether he will feature, coming off the back of an injury lay-off earlier in the season.
Tuchel will have a choice to make in regards to team selection, but believes he knows what he is coming up against when they face the Croatian underdogs.
Speaking ahead of the clash, 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. They made it through the qualification which is never easy.
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"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.
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"This will be their plan. We are aware of that."
The German continued to discuss his side's chances, stating that they must continue to improve in order to challenge for the European title this season.
"We are ourselves in a moment where we need to improve, we are not fully happy with the results, with our performances," he continued.
"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.
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"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.
"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 Blues face the Croatian side at 5:45pm in Zagreb as they look to start the Champions League season on a high.
Chelsea will face Fulham on Saturday after the European clash as they look to push forward and build momentum this season.
Topics: Chelsea, Thomas Tuchel, Football, Champions League
Nick Emms