Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has told Football.London that Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds United made it “intense” for Antonio Rudiger and Cesar Azpilicueta.
Leeds suffered a 3-2 defeat to Chelsea away from home at Stamford Bridge in London in the Premier League at the weekend.
Chelsea needed a late controversial penalty to pick up all three points from the encounter.
Tuchel has said that before the game, he knew that Leeds were going to make it tough for Rudiger and Azpilicueta, and it proved to be so.
Verdict on Chelsea duo Antonio Rudiger and Cesar Azpilicueta
The Chelsea boss told Football.London: “We expected today that it would be an intense game for Toni and for Azpi (Cesar Azpilicueta) because of the very unique style of defending, we expected to have spaces where we could drive on
“They made a lot of pressure, they constantly had to have their focus on defending and also attacking.
“They let us drive in these spaces but it was good, he did not accept to lose and we were lucky of course to have these last penalties so late. But we did everything to turn it around.”
Leeds gave Chelsea a fight
Against Leeds at Stamford Bridge, Azpilicueta started on the right of a back-three, while Azpilicueta was deployed on the left.
That Leeds scored two goals past Chelsea shows how good they were.
Bielsa’s side were on it from the first minute to the last.
And, in our opinion, if Leeds had drawn the game, then it would not have an unfair result at all.
Leeds are playing well, and, in our view, if they are able to concede fewer goals and take their chances at the other end, then they will escape the drop to the Championship with ease.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
