‘Is very clear, we forgot about that’ -Tuchel finally reveals who to blame for Chelsea 3-3 draw against Zenit
Timo Werner had given the side an early lead in the first half but Chelsea found themselves behind at half-time.
However, Chelsea were two minutes close to topping group H, but a 3-3 draw with Zenit killed all such hopes.
With the Blues 2-1 behind, Timo Werner played a perfect pass for Romelu Lukaku to tap home and make the scores 2-2 two minutes after the hour mark.
Timo Werner scored what looked like the winner in the 85th minute, but Chelsea couldn’t get the required three points away at Zenit St Petersburg, as the Blues were held to a 3-3 draw following a very late goal from Magomed Ozdoev.
Chelsea’s performance was uninspiring in Russia, and the Blues will pay the consequence by finishing the group in second place, as Juventus beat Malmo 1-0 to top Group H.
Speaking after the game, Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel slammed his players for their poor mentality despite having taken the lead twice.
“I think we had a very good first 15 minutes but we stopped doing the things we did,” he said after the game.
“I had the feeling, and this is my opinion, that we forgot why we were the better team. And once this drops, once we start managing results, we get punished.
“We start playing balls back, not attacking with the same aggression and hunger than before. We got punished twice and it is for me the level of investment we have to do right no matter what is on the scoresheet.
“My analysis is very clear: our behaviour changes when we have a lead and this is something we’ve never done and should never do. The challenge is to close the door and minimise the possibility.
“We need a higher level of sprints, runs, concentration levels. The basics need to be pushed while we are in the lead. They can’t drop when we are in the lead. It’s not the big picture.”