Menzi Magubane
Thomas Tuchel has made his presence felt since arriving at Chelsea.
Since the sacking of Frank Lampard in January the Blues are yet to taste a defeat in 12 matches across all competitions, tying Luiz Felipe Scolari’s record for the longest unbeaten run by a head coach in Chelsea history.
Tuchel has already set the new record in the English Premier League by becoming the first head coach in League history to keep consecutive home clean sheets in five home matches.
If Chelsea beat Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Champions League last 16 second leg on Wednesday, they break Solari’s record and Chelsea will be through to the quarter-finals.
In this match at Stamford Bridge (at 10pm), Chelsea have a significant advantage over the visitors. Two weeks ago they beat the Spaniards 1-0 away to take home that important lead through a wonder goal by Olivier Giroud.
Tuchel will be encouraged by his side’s defensive record, having kept 10 clean sheets in 12 games, but his headache is upfront. The team have scored just 13 goals and they have not scored more than two goals in a game since he arrived.
Tuchel could be tempted to recall Giroud, who has been an unused substitute in the last three Premier League games.
Meanwhile in Germany, the competition champions, Bayern Munich will be hosting Lazio on Wednesday at the Allianz-Arena at 10pm.
Bayern are in control of this tie after winning 4-1 in Italy in the first leg last month.
Picture source: @ChelseaFC
