Thomas Tuchel is the only manager to face Real Madrid five times in the Champions League without losing
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel says his team will have to “fight for every inch” when they play Real Madrid in the second leg of the Champions League next week.
But Tuchel knows that there is still a lot to do to reach a first final since winning in 2012.
“Even if we had won here anything is possible,” he said.
“It’s halftime and we have to fight for every inch and every advantage we want and we have to fight and deserve it.”
Christian Pulisic gave Chelsea the lead on Tuesday before Karim Benzema equalized in an exciting first half.
The second period did not do justice to the excitement of the first, and Tuchel felt his team should have made more of their superiority in the early stages of the game.
“I feel we should have won the first half and we deserve to win the first half,” he added.
“We could have decided this game in the first half hour when we played so well.”
Werner ‘angry’ with his lady
Timo Werner saw his early volley shot saved by Thibaut Courtois’ legs
Timo Werner didn’t use a great chance to score before Pulisic’s start when his shot was saved from four meters.
Werner, who has scored 11 goals in all competitions for Chelsea this season, scored the winner against West Ham in the Premier League at the weekend but also missed a big chance in that game.
“He missed a big one at West Ham and he missed a big one here, but there’s nothing to cry about,” said Tuchel.
“That’s the best thing about sport, nobody cares tomorrow. He may be angry.”
Real Madrid are 13-time Champions League winners but boss Zinedine Zidane accepts that his side will have to work hard to maintain their chances of a 14th title.
The Spanish giants will travel to Stamford Bridge for the second leg on Wednesday, May 5th (8:00 p.m. CET).
“We live and go into the second leg with the idea of winning,” said Zidane. “In general we are happy.
“We know they are good at the opposing half, that they are a competitive team and not many admit it. They are in the semi-finals for a reason.”
