Chelsea face one of the best teams on the counter-attack on Sunday when Tottenham Hotspur visit Stamford Bridge and Thomas Tuchel has told his team how they need to deal with it to ensure they aren’t punished.
Tottenham are eyeing revenge on their London rivals this weekend after losing on all four occasions to the Blues last season, and if they win at Stamford Bridge, it will be for the first time since 2018.
Spurs have made huge strides this summer in the transfer window, a change of the past, backing Antonio Conte which saw them thump Southampton 4-1 in the opening game of the season last weekend.
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The visitors boast one of the best counter-attacking teams in world football, according to Chelsea head coach Thomas Tuchel, which will pose a huge threat to the Blues on Sunday.
Conte has the likes of Harry Kane, Son Heung-min, Dejan Kulusevski and Lucas Moura at his disposal and Tuchel will be relying on his new-look defence to cope with the dangerous attack. The additions of Kalidou Koulibaly and Marc Cucurella will be hoped to contain the Spurs attack.
Tuchel refused to share his secrets of how they came up with a plan to beat Spurs four times last season, but outlined how Chelsea needed to approach the game in order to not be troubled by their opponents counter-attack.
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“I don’t tell you because I think we have to be very disciplined in certain regions of the game,” replied Tuchel, when asked about how they beat Spurs last season.
“They stepped the level up in their game. They play in the same structure so far and have a pattern in offensive pressing and in their attitude to defend. This changes a lot.
"It’s very important that we are good on the ball. It’s very important we are the dominant team.
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"Hopefully put the game in the opponent's half and control the counter-attacks before everybody else sees them.
“Hopefully we don’t talk about counter-attacking because they are maybe one of the best teams in the world in counter-attacks and these movements.
"We did fantastic jobs in closing it down so the players were unbelievably disciplined and aware of the situations. That’s why we can never lose the structure and never lose our head while we are attacking. This is the moment, I believe, to stop the counter-attacks.
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“When they start already you are already in big trouble given the quality, speed and determination of Tottenham so we need to be smart and stop the counter-attacks before they start.”
Tuchel is wary of Spurs, adding: “They had maybe the opposite last seven months from us, given the situation. Everything was clear. They had something clear to fight for. They put all the energy to make it to Champions League football.
"Their targets were clear, the set up in the club was clear. They took advantage of this situation and had a very aggressive transfer period.
“Very straightforward and excellent transfer period to strengthen in quality and depth.
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"That’s why it’s one of the toughest opponents. Always is with Antonio Conte’s teams. That’s what we’re facing Sunday.”
Topics: Thomas Tuchel, Chelsea, Antonio Conte, Premier League, Tottenham Hotspur, Football
Matthew Debono