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Football London
Football London
Sport
Adam Newson

Every word Thomas Tuchel said on Chelsea vs Liverpool, Kepa, Lukaku decision, Roman Abramovich

Kepa's missed penalty at the end, it feels harsh?

"It is [harsh} and we feel bad for him, but no blame. We took the decision like we did last time in a penalty shootout because Kepa is training with the players [for penalties] on a daily basis and they know how good he is.

"He has simply more time on the training ground to do this than Edou, who plays a lot more. Everyone knows how good he is, how difficult it is to shoot [against him] and this plays a huge part in how we shot today.

"Unfortunately, he couldn't make a save – their penalties were brilliantly taken – and it was a bit harsh on him that he was the guy to miss the one and only penalty, but there is no blame."

When you review the game, do you think you should've won it?

"We have to accept the quality of the opponent, this is maybe the most dangerous attacking side at the moment in Europe. They are full of individual quality and playing at a high rhythm.

"So defending like this, playing like this at this level made me very proud today. I saw a brilliant match of football over 120 minutes and we played a huge part of it.

"I have the feeling we created a bit more, were a bit more there, but maybe that is also subjective. This game could've easily gone either way. You need a bit of luck and momentum to win it. If you look at the line that is drawn on the Romelu goal, it's a bit of a weird line where it's drawn and then to make the decision that it's offside, but that's it.

"We can't have any regrets. I am proud of the performance and the team. There are a lot of good things and I told the guys we should not lose sleep about this. It was an entertaining match of football that was full of intensity and I am very, very happy to have had the chance to be part of this. It was excellent."

Do you stand by your decision to bring on Kepa so late in the game?

"I take the decisions when I take the decisions. I only take them when I want to take them. I cannot rejudge my decision after the outcome.

"We all don't know what would happen if we left Edou on the pitch. This is how it is so no blame on him, blame me. I am the guy who takes the decisions, sometimes it works out or not works out. This is the life of a football coach who does substitutions.

"Sometimes you bring on a player and he scores and sometimes you bring on a player and he makes a decisive mistake. This is what happens so no regrets. If you need to take the blame, take it on me and I take responsibility for that, of course."

Can I get your reaction to the news that Roman Abramovich has handed the decision-making of the club over to the Chelsea foundation trustees?

"For the news yesterday, I think that it will change absolutely nothing for me on a daily basis. This is how I understand it.

"I am in close contact with Marina and Petr Cech to run the first team of football at Chelsea Football Club and give my input and to take care about this.

"I give my very best that we are able to win football matches and this will not change. I think it will not change with the news from yesterday."

Have you spoken to Edou Mendy and were you tempted to change you mind and keep him on the pitch given his performance?

"You think we do this and not talk to the players. The players know and we did it before and it is a nice subject now for you to make headlines, but mistakes happen.

"I do mistakes. Edou did a big mistake and could have almost been punished with a decisive goal. You make it a bit easy for yourself.

"I have the feeling, but if you want to blame someone, blame me. I took the decisions and I don’t take them to be the hero. We have reasons. I try to explain the reasons.

"It was not the first time and today it took eleven penalties to find a winner there are no regrets, if you want to blame somebody, blame me, it is no problem."

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