Thomas Tuchel outlines reasons for Chelsea defeat to Manchester City

Thomas Tuchel outlined a lack of belief from his Chelsea side as they narrowly lost their crucial encounter with Manchester City at Stamford Bridge.

Thomas Tuchel’s winning run in the Premier League and against Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City ended after his Chelsea side lost 1-0 at Stamford Bridge. Gabriel Jesus got the game’s only goal in the 53rd minute, as Chelsea’s search for an equaliser went in vain.

Tuchel’s side had beaten Manchester City in each of their previous three meetings, including the 1-0 victory in the Champions League Final back in May. However, Man City dominated the game yesterday and allowed Chelsea no chance to aim at their goal.

The likes of Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner failed to create any magic, despite making some strong movements to threaten the Man City backline. Tuchel has now outlined the reasons behind the defeat to their title rivals, as Pep Guardiola’s side were able to draw level on points with the west London side.

Tuchel admitted, there was a lack of belief from his team during the game and that Manchester City were sharper and much stronger in the contest.

The German boss said, “We were excellent in the last 20 metres of the pitch but not the other 80 metres. City were stronger, sharper, with more position. I had the feeling we lacked the belief to escape in the situation. With every mistake, we did we lost more confidence. We defended very well until the goal, although we were too deep.

“There was no connection [with Romelu Lukaku], and this was a team problem, not an individual problem. We could not escape the pressure. It was a question of decision making, and we were so unprecise. We lacked the confidence to switch sides. We were not on our highest level, and you cannot expect a result.”

When the question posed to Tuchel suggested the possibility of opening up a six-point lead over Manchester City might have played its part in the players’ heads, Tuchel responded, “We played with the mentality we had something to lose, but there was nothing to lose.

“After the goal, there was a good reaction and a bit more risk. That’s the mentality you need from the start: that you take risks and accept risks. But they made us underperform.”

With that victory, Manchester City are back in business and level on points with Chelsea. Next week Pep Guardiola’s side take on Liverpool, and another win will solidify their title credentials.

Thomas Tuchel outlined a lack of belief from his Chelsea side as they narrowly lost their crucial encounter with Manchester City at Stamford Bridge.

Thomas Tuchel’s winning run in the Premier League and against Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City ended after his Chelsea side lost 1-0 at Stamford Bridge. Gabriel Jesus got the game’s only goal in the 53rd minute, as Chelsea’s search for an equaliser went in vain.

Tuchel’s side had beaten Manchester City in each of their previous three meetings, including the 1-0 victory in the Champions League Final back in May. However, Man City dominated the game yesterday and allowed Chelsea no chance to aim at their goal.

The likes of Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner failed to create any magic, despite making some strong movements to threaten the Man City backline. Tuchel has now outlined the reasons behind the defeat to their title rivals, as Pep Guardiola’s side were able to draw level on points with the west London side.

Tuchel admitted, there was a lack of belief from his team during the game and that Manchester City were sharper and much stronger in the contest.

The German boss said, “We were excellent in the last 20 metres of the pitch but not the other 80 metres. City were stronger, sharper, with more position. I had the feeling we lacked the belief to escape in the situation. With every mistake, we did we lost more confidence. We defended very well until the goal, although we were too deep.

“There was no connection [with Romelu Lukaku], and this was a team problem, not an individual problem. We could not escape the pressure. It was a question of decision making, and we were so unprecise. We lacked the confidence to switch sides. We were not on our highest level, and you cannot expect a result.”

When the question posed to Tuchel suggested the possibility of opening up a six-point lead over Manchester City might have played its part in the players’ heads, Tuchel responded, “We played with the mentality we had something to lose, but there was nothing to lose.

“After the goal, there was a good reaction and a bit more risk. That’s the mentality you need from the start: that you take risks and accept risks. But they made us underperform.”

With that victory, Manchester City are back in business and level on points with Chelsea. Next week Pep Guardiola’s side take on Liverpool, and another win will solidify their title credentials.