Why Antonio Rudiger got angry with Marcos Alonso as Chelsea are handed timely Real Madrid boost

"Our defending wasn't at the level it has been," a disappointed Thomas Tuchel admitted after his Chelsea backline had uncharacteristically been breached on multiple occasions in the space of 90 minutes. "It's hard to accept, but there's no other solution than to accept it. We move on forward."

Those reflective words were not spoken by the German after yesterday's shock 4-1 defeat against Brentford. They were delivered one year ago on this date after the Blues had unexpectedly capitulated against West Bromwich Albion at Stamford Bridge. That game ended 5-2. It proved a landmark moment.

Chelsea used the result as fuel for the remainder of the season. They reached the FA Cup final and advanced through the Champions League knockout stages. Porto were beaten. Real Madrid too. And in the final against Manchester City in Porto, a goal from Kai Havertz saw the Blues crowned champions of Europe for a second time.

: Every word Thomas Tuchel said on Chelsea vs Brentford, Rudiger, Mendy, Real Madrid and more

History could repeat itself this season – stranger things have certainly happened. Chelsea are in the FA Cup semi-finals and the Champions League quarter-finals, the first leg of which will be played against Real Madrid on Wednesday evening at Stamford Bridge. Before that game, however, will come introspection from Tuchel and his coaching team, as was the case 12 months ago after the West Brom debacle.

"After so many wins and so many good results, I will now refuse to make a drama out of it," Tuchel said during his post-match press conference yesterday, during which the celebrations from inside the Brentford dressing room could still be heard.

"We will dig in and try to find out why it was like this. There are some reasons which