Chelsea fell to a heartbreaking defeat to Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday as Kepa Arrizabalaga was unable to repeat his penalty heroics at Wembley.
Nevertheless across 120 minutes, outside of some regrettable finishing, Chelsea produced another impressive performance against the Reds.
The Blues kept a clean sheet in an entertaining game, and one where Thomas Tuchel pleased with his side, while the German coach insisted he should take any blame for defeat.
Tuchel said: "This game could've easily gone either way. You need a bit of luck and momentum to win 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."
One such player to be have a big role in the occasion was Antonio Rudiger, a man who has impressed throughout Tuchel's Chelsea tenure.
The German international showcased a repertoire that those who go to Stamford Bridge will be very familiar with - solid tackles, long balls and plenty of aggression.
Over the course of two hours Rudiger sustained his level to keep Mo Salah very quiet, by the Egyptian's standards, with the help of Marcos Alonso.
Even when Salah found himself in good positions late in extra time, Rudiger showed his immense ability in one-on-one situations in the 113th minute to dispossess the 29-year-old in the Blues box.
Minutes later Rudiger found himself scrambling in the box with Salah once again on the ball and looking destined to score. The imposing figure manage to stretch across the box to nick the ball away and push it out of the danger area, however.
The Chelsea defender managed to tuck inside to work with Thiago Silva to cut out runs from Sadio Mane too.
When Kai Havertz faced off with Trent Alexander-Arnold after the latter intentionally caused a tangle of legs, the young German soon found himself outnumbered as Harvey Elliott forced his presence on the situation.
Anticipation set in for Rudiger to join the foray and supporters did not have to wait long for him to back up his teammate. Even when James Milner entered the fray to try and separate the young Red from the towering 28-year-old, Rudiger managed to offend both players as the former Manchester City and Newcastle midfielder returned to confront the Chelsea star after his teammate was clear of the situation.
Alonso managed to separate the duo but there was no backing down from either side, with both teams displaying a clear emotional leader in the moment. Rudiger may not be the pinnacle of composure but certainly feels like Tuchel's battle commander on the pitch so that the squad know the standard of aggression, and the fight they must show in any game.
All in all, Sunday's final once again served as reminder to Tuchel of what his side could be without next term if Rudiger does leave with his contract is set to expire in a matter of months.
The 38-year-old has racked up 37 appearances this season despite his uncertain future, not featuring in just six Chelsea games, five of which have been in cup competitions.
“I feel great here, I have always said it," Rudiger said after Chelsea's Club World Cup triumph in Abu Dhabi. "I think the way I play you can see that I’m happy here. But there are also other people who have to make decisions [about the future].”
PSG, Real Madrid and Manchester United have all been linked to the defender despite that admission with reports suggesting Chelsea have come closer to Rudiger's £200,000-per-week demands.
It's still unclear where he will ply his trade next season, and, while both parties seem like they would be happy to continue their relationship, value will rule the day. There is no doubting the impact he has on this Chelsea side however.
