Sports
Chelsea’s Tuchel hails ‘always positive’ Giroud after scoring winner against Atletico
Thomas Tuchel has hailed Olivier Giroud after the Frenchman scored a beautiful overhead kick to give Chelsea a 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid in their Champions League last 16 first leg on Tuesday.
The former Arsenal man made the most of the rare chance to get the winner in the 68th minute although it took minutes before VAR ruled the goal in favour of the Blues.
Reacting after the game, Tuchel said he sees the 34-year-old as a player who is ten years younger, describing his “always positive” attitude as a big factor for the squad.
“If you see him on a daily basis, you cannot be surprised. He is totally fit, his body is in shape and his physicality is on top level.
“Mentally I have really the feeling he enjoys every day being a professional soccer player on this level and this is the level he needs to be.
“He trains like a 20-year-old, like a 24-year-old. He is a guy who has a good mixture of serious and joy in training. He is always positive and it is a big factor for the group.
“He starts, when he comes from the bench, he has all these qualities and it is good like this.”
“I am super happy for my players and the team for such a big reward. We actually can read it on the scoreline that we have the result against top opponents.
“It was very important that we are absolutely concentrated over all 96 minutes and that we also accept that it’s very hard to create chances, but we did all that and it was a very good team effort,” Tuchel said.
As a result of coronavirus travel restrictions against persons from Britain in Spain, the was moved from the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium to the Arena Nationala in Bucharest.
Chelsea claimed the all-important away win advantage ahead of the second leg next month and Giroud’s goal will be pivotal should they secure the win in their home game.
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