Chelsea have been navigating troubled waters for more than a month now. Targeted by harsh economic sanctions, pending a hypothetical sale by its current owner, Roman Abramovich, the London club initially gave the impression of not being affected by this situation. After all, he had a string of favorable results, in the league and in the Champions League. But the Blues had a very delicate start to April, between an inexplicable hitch against Brentford (1-4) and, above all, an unfortunate setback against Real Karim Benzema in C1 (1-3). A reaction was expected. It happened on Saturday afternoon.
Jorginho’s partners were indeed merciless with Southampton, humiliated in front of their public (0-6). The gap was already very clear after half an hour of play (0-4) but Timo Werner and Mason Mount, scorers in the first period, did it again in the second act. Add to that a Kai Havertz who also found the net, total collective control (71% possession, 24 shots to 4) and you understand how the score could have taken on such magnitude. “With all the chances they had, it could have been tougher”even breathed Ralph Hasenhüttl at the end of the match, according to comments relayed by the BBC.
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Kai Havertz avec Timo Werner (Chelsea)
Credit: Getty Images
It wasn’t the best time to face them
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“Bravo to this Chelsea team, who were unleashed, admitted the Saints coach. It wasn’t the best time to face them. They were super aggressive. We lacked everything, and they knew how to press where it was necessary to underline our limits.” His counterpart, he did not hide his satisfaction after the reaction of his men. “The performance was not the same, in terms of commitment and discipline. That’s how we want to play, thus affirmed Thomas Tuchel in the program Match of the Day. We reacted, as you can see by looking at the scoreboard.”
The German technician wanted to congratulate his players, who “were focused on following our game plan. They did it with focus, commitment, hunger and, of course, quality.” He also appreciated the performance of Werner, who “was in his favorite position, facing an opponent leaving spaces behind his back”even if he “could have scored more”as he explained to Sky Sports.
From Monday, the reigning European champions will fly to Madrid, where they will challenge Real on Tuesday evening (9:00 p.m.). It was therefore time to start moving forward again, before a shock which will have a great influence on the end of the season for Londoners. “First of all, it was necessary to do the job here, admitted Tuchel. But that doesn’t change anything, the task will be very difficult.” We will not contradict him. We will just note that at least his players were able to put their heads back in place. And with manner.
Mason Mount (Chelsea) scored twice in Southampton on Saturday April 9, 2022.
Credit: Getty Images
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