“Not our usual 3-2 shape” – Tuchel finally reveals why he changed his formation as Chelsea beat Middlesbrough 2-0
Following Chelsea’s 2-0 FA Cup victory over Middlesbrough on Saturday, Thomas Tuchel has reveals the changed of formation.
Tuchel told BBC: “We saw [from Middlesbrough’s Cup wins] that they were brave. We were totally aware of their strengths, of their structure.
“They push the wing-back on the right side up so he’s almost a winger, so we adapted to that and decided to play a 4-1 [at the back, with a deep-lying midfielder] and not our usual 3-2 shape.
“We had Malang Sarr at left-back to have a close connection with their right wing-back [Isaiah Jones] and played with the other defenders in a three against two with their two strikers.
“That was impressive, for the guys to show the discipline and fulfil the plan. They were reliable and, within the plan, they showed the individual quality and determination that is needed.”