Thomas Tuchel has delivered his verdict on Leeds United as Chelsea prepare to face Jesse Marsch’s side.
The two face off in the Premier League on Sunday, with both teams having started the season unbeaten.
With one win and one draw apiece, both Tuchel and Marsch’s sides will be hoping to come out on top when they face off.
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Marsch has already admitted that he will be disappointed to see Chelsea head coach Tuchel on the sideline following his dismissal against Tottenham Hotspur last week.
"No, he won't be there, right?” he questioned when asked about Tuchel’s involvement in the match. “Are they saying he might be able to be on the bench?
“That doesn't seem right does it? If you get a red card, you're out of the match.
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"I will be disappointed if they allow him to be on the bench. There is a simple rule in football. Whether it's soccer or football, if you get a red card you can't play the next match."
However, with the FA handing Tuchel a suspended sentence, he will be eligible to be on the bench against Leeds before receiving written confirmation of his touchline ban and reasons for this.
Speaking to the press ahead of the match, the Chelsea boss delivered his verdict on what he believes will be a high intensity match.
“I expect a high intensity game, a high pressing team from Leeds and a very emotional stadium,” he said.
“We had a fantastic game last season at Elland Road and scored very early, very dominant and very focused and effective in front of goal. Of course there was an early red card that played into our hands. Still, was a very good performance.
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“This is what we expect. Repetitive intensity, high pressing and a team that loves the chaos, a team of Leeds that has a high acceptance for mistakes.
"They don’t get frustrated by mistakes, they accept mistakes as chances to do counter-pressing and so on. We have to be well aware and also to manage our expectations, our level of acceptance for mistakes because mistakes against these high intensive teams like Liverpool, Leeds, Southampton, who have a certain style of pressing - you make mistakes.”
He continued to discuss how he will accept mistakes from his side throughout the match too, as it is impossible to face Leeds without these.
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“You cannot play without mistakes against these teams. You accept it before the match and make the best out of it, find the spaces,” he continued.
“There is not a lot of time for decision making and this is what we prepare for now in training and hope to be on our top level and to find the level we had last week to be able to prove the statistics wrong! I did not know about it (record at Elland Road). So thanks for telling me.”
The sides face off against each other at 2:30 pm (UK) on Sunday.
Topics: Chelsea, Thomas Tuchel, Leeds United, Premier League, Football
Nick Emms