UCL: Tuchel hails player despite loss to Real Madrid

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has hailed his players for trying to keep the hope alive during their game vs Real Madrid on Tuesday night.

The Blues made an unexpected lead after they scored three goals against the Los Blancos before the home side went on to score two goals as the match ended on an aggregate of  5-4.

Tuchel, in a post-match statement, said the players showed a lot of character.

He said, ‘The players lived up to the plan in a very different way than we did against Brentford and in the first leg. We were never shy of making the point that the most important thing is how we live up to a tactic, and how lively we play in a structure. It was to the full limit tonight. The credit goes to the players.

‘We were very disciplined on the ball, and very active off the ball. We showed a lot of courage, and from there we showed the quality. It was the right way to do it.

‘I am very happy. This is the way to go forward. If we have this kind of effort we are a special team, and if not we can lose against anybody. They showed a lot of character. We can be very proud.’