'Unlikely that Chelsea make semi-finals' - Thomas Tuchel plays down chances against Real Madrid

Thomas Tuchel has admitted that it is 'unlikely' Chelsea will qualify for the semi-finals of the Champions League. The Blues are preparing for the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie against Los Blancos, having lost the first 3-1 courtesy of a Karim Benzema hat-trick. Ad/> The defending champions travel to the Bernabeu needing to beat Real Madrid by two goals to stay in the tie, and Tuchel was realistic about his side's chances of progressing further.

Champions League'He needs to be fully committed' — Tuchel warns Christensen over his focus06/04/2022 AT 11:10 «It's not the biggest chance, given the first game and the competition, the opponent and the stadium we play in,» he said. «But we never manage our input and effort by our chances. We never have, and we will not start tomorrow by giving less.

»It is unlikely we will make it but we will try and we will play to our full limit because this is what we do. It's a big night and we will try to be in better shape and a better condition than the first match." «It is one of the biggest challenges to perform as an away team at the Bernabeu. Even more if you need a certain result.

It makes it almost impossible but it is still worth trying.» Benzema hat-trick leaves Chelsea on brink of elimination Real Madrid to prioritise Haaland instead of Mbappe — Paper Round Chelsea knocked Real Madrid out of the Champions League last season but were outfought and outplayed at Stamford Bridge. And Tuchel confessed that they struggled to match the La Liga leaders with the same intensity they produced last year. «We wanted to be more physical, we didn't work hard enough,» he added.