‘It was a bit harsh! Tuchel finally reveals who to blame for Kepa penalty miss against Liverpool
Chelsea goalkepper Kepa Arrizabalaga missed the crucial penalty to keep Chelsea in the game after all 11 of Liverpool’s scored past the Spaniard after he replaced Edouard Mendy in the dying moments of extra time.
However, The Senegalese keeper had pulled off some stunning saves over the course of nearly 120 minutes but like in the UEFA Super Cup final against Villarreal, Tuchel opted to turn to Kepa for some penalty heroics.
It is well documented that the former Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper has produced statistics that the club deem him as their best player in the event of a penalty shootout and the German coach trusted that information once again.
Kepa did get his hand to one penalty but was unable to prevent Ibrahima Konate’s strike from landing his net anyway. Then in a cruel twist of fate the 27-year-old was left with the final penalty and could only blaze it over the bar.
However, The Chelsea boss has blamed himself for the wrong decision made.
Tuchel said: “We feel bad for him, of course. It was a bit harsh that he was the guy to miss the one and only penalty but there is no blame,”
“I take the decisions when I take the decisions and I can’t re-judge them when I know the outcome.
“We don’t know what would’ve happened if we left Edou on the pitch. No blame on Kepa. Blame on me as I’m the guy who takes the decisions. Sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn’t. This is life as a football coach.”
The Blues boss was further asked whether he regretted substituting Mendy, after the glovesman’s impressive performance.
He said: “The players know and we did it before [bring on Kepa]. It’s a nice subject now for you to make headlines but mistakes happen.
“I do mistakes, Edou did a big mistake and almost got punished. It makes easier if we have a big feeling but blame me as I take the decisions.”