Sean Dyche sacking, were you surprised?
Yeah, it was quite surprising.
Do you think Premier League managers get taken advantage of a bit at times?
There is no doubt about the work he has been doing t at Burnley in the last ten years but this is the industry we are living in, it’s difficult to see a manager losing his position but this is the world that we are in and as difficult as it is, that’s the way it is.
Is there an extra special feeling in your heart for the FA Cup?
Not just in my heart, it’s a really important competition in this country. The fans, the players, there's real excitement around the FA Cup and we wanted to do well and we are in the semi-final. It’s a really exciting period and we will enjoy the day.
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You’ve won it four times, you’re unbeaten in 19 games, what’s making it so special?
It’s the fact I’ve been in a place where clubs have been successful in the FA Cup and I was just a part of it. This is a different club, a different team with different ambitions and it is a really good moment for the club. That is why the message to the players and the fans is to enjoy the moment and enjoy the day. We had a really good week, we’ve prepared well, it’s another day tomorrow and we will be ready for the game on Sunday.
What did you make of Chelsea’s performance on Tuesday?
The only disappointment for them is not to go through. Football-wise and the game that they had, it was really good. They played well. It was a big game and I think they performed well. I think they can be unlucky and they were unlucky not to go to the semi-final.
Does their game on Tuesday give you an advantage?
No. We are talking about a club, a team and players who are used to playing several games in a week, important games one after another. The physical impact will not have any kind of impact on Chelsea’s performance. We have to look at ourselves, prepare ourselves, what we want to do to give ourselves the best chance to win the game.
Team news?
We had Tyrick [Mitchell] and Michael [Olise] who had some training on the field, individually yesterday, a little more today. Then we have to wait tomorrow to see if there’s any kind of reaction. They will only get involved in the game if they are 100% fit.
Frustration to not have Conor Gallagher?
Frustration for me but more for Conor because he played every single round. He’s been doing really well and not having the opportunity to be on the field and have this kind of experience is something that he will miss. But we knew what was going on and we knew playing Chelsea would be something that Conor wasn’t going to take part in and missing Conor will give an opportunity to another player to step in and do well for the team.
How did Conor take that news?
He was disappointed no doubt about it. But he understood the rules as in a good place.
Tuchel said he apologised to Conor, did you know that? And does him saying he understands your frustration make it any easier?
This is the rules and of course, he knows that Conor has been doing really well for us. But these are the rules and we have to play by the rules and we have to follow the rules. Like I said, we’ll have other players playing, we’ll have different options. I don’t have any doubt and I am not worried about players coming in and giving their maximum for the team.
Where does this game rank for you in your managerial career?
It is an important game for the football club, it’s not about being an important game just for me. I am part of the team and the football club and it is an important moment for the football club. We have the opportunity to go to the final and we have to prepare as best we can to perform on the day. We know what to expect about Chelsea, we know the team and we know the individual talent they have. We’ve prepared well and we have to give the best performance. We’ve played in the league recently and lost 1-0 but we gave them a hard game and this is the same kind of approach that we want. We want to make it difficult for them. We want to play as best as we can and try to win the game. We are ambitious and we’ll have to perform on the day.
Does the game feel any different?
Yeah, because you feel the passion around the team and the club. That is good, this is a good moment and this is why we have to enjoy the moment.
You played multiple games in a week, did it ever affect you? Did you ever feel tired going from a European game into another game a few days later?
No. You don’t feel the tiredness when you play a semi-final of an FA Cup. Those Chelsea players will be ready for it. We have to be ready for the fight and we will gave to look at how we want to approach the game, follow our game plan and perform on the day. But we can’t count on Chelsea to be tired because they will not be tired.
