Thomas Tuchel must make sure Real Madrid defeat doesn’t ‘curtail Chelsea’s season’

Steve McManaman fired a stark warning to Thomas Tuchel after the Chelsea manager insisted the Champions League quarter-final tie against Real Madrid was over after Wednesday’s first-leg loss.

A Karim Benzema hat-trick sealed a 3-1 victory for the Spanish giants as Chelsea’s level of performance fell way below expectations, with a calamtious mix-up for Madrid’s third goal summing up the night. 

Tuchel said post-match that the tie is ‘not alive’ given his side’s display – but McManaman was quick to shoot down that statement, insisting the Blues can’t let one night ‘curtail their season.’  

Steve McManaman fired a stark warning to Thomas Tuchel after Chelsea’s defeat in Europe 

McManaman says the Chelsea manager can’t let one bad game ‘curtail their season’ 

‘We watched it, we analysed it, we know how bad Chelsea were,’ the ex-Madrid midfielder told BT Sport. 

‘I fully expected him to be honest, but he has to be careful, he doesn’t want a moment like this or an interview like that to curtail the season. There is still plenty to play for, but if they do lose to Southampton, they have Tottenham breathing down their necks. 

‘They have to be careful that it doesn’t fall away. They need to win on the weekend and move forward.’ 

Ex-Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole emphasised that Tuchel needs to take the second-half performance on Wednesday into the second-leg at the Bernabeu next Tuesday. 

A Karim Benzema hat-trick sealed a 3-1 victory for Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge 

Chelsea have it all to do in the second-leg at the Bernabeu if they are to progress to the semis 

‘He needs to digest it and take it in. There must have been a problem with N’Golo Kante for him to come off at half-time. 

‘You’ve got Jorginho in there. There was spaces in midfield, so you had two players, Jorginho is not athletic. Kante who had a problem.

‘ In the first-half Chelsea were having such a problem getting close to them, so just as much as we can praise Real Madrid for their performance, and tactically they were good. Chelsea were off it for them reasons. They need to take the second-half into the Bernabeu.’