Team manager Thomas Tuchel from Chelsea FC can once again rely on international Kai Havertz in the Champions League.
As the coach announced on Monday, the offensive player will be part of the squad in the quarter-finals draw against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday. Havertz has only played two Premier League games under Tuchel and had been out for weeks after one blow.
In addition, former Dortmund native Christian Pulisic returns after overcoming calf problems, defence chief Thiago Silva continues to be absent with a muscle injury. Meanwhile, Tuchel described the match against Atletico, which was relocated from Madrid to Bucharest due to coronary factors, as a „sporting, physical and mental“ major test.
Tuchel: „The focus is on us“
„They are leaders in Spain and have their qualities, but the focus is on us,“ Tuchel said. Meanwhile, the 47-year-old praised Atletico’s star striker Luis Suarez, who is in top form with 16 league goals. „He is a born striker and has the special mentality that only strikers have,“ Tuchel said: „We must prevent him from hitting.“Tuchel had played the preliminary round of the current league season with Paris St. Germain and led the club into the quarter-finals before he was released at the end of December. To compete with Chelsea in the knockout phase is „a bit strange“, but he is looking forward to it. „I didn’t look after it. I’m 100% at Chelsea,“ Tuchel said, „It feels natural.“ The German had replaced Frank Lampard as team manager of the blues in January.
