Thomas Tuchel hailed Chelsea as ‘outstanding’ in their FA Cup semi-final – has he created the perfect gameplan vs Manchester City?

Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea side carried out a seemingly simple game plan offensively to beat Manchester City 1-0 in their FA Cup semi-final on Saturday evening. The inclusion of Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech looked like a standard set up by the old Paris Saint-Germain manager as they ended City’s Quadruple chances.

The pairing were able to unlock the Manchester City backline on several occasions, something most of Europe have failed to do this season.

During the FA Cup semi-final on Saturday, it was clear to see how Tuchel believed Chelsea were going to be successful against the six-time FA Cup winners. 

Using the pace of Werner and the passing ability behind him from Ziyech and Mason Mount, the London side were betting on using City’s extensively high defensive line as a way of scoring.

No less than six minutes into the game and Chelsea had a goal ruled out for a narrow offside call against Werner who was played in over the City backline. The German squared the ball to Ziyech, a replica of the goal they eventually scored on 55 minutes.

Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech happy with the tactics

When asked about how Chelsea had success in the game, Werner said: ‘When we play against high line defenders, with my speed it’s good for me.’

Ziyech said: ‘I always know he likes to run into the spaces, for me it’s just about running with him, he delivered a good ball for me to put the ball in the goal.’

Not only were Chelsea able to execute the attacking side of the gameplan, the ability to keep City to one or two half-chances throughout the whole game meant that the missed chances were not to be regretted. 

This was only the fifth game this season in all competitions that Pep Guardiola’s side haven’t scored in.

Defensively sound

There was a feel of German mechanical efficiency about Tuchel’s men at times, a system which seemed impenetrable defensively and swift and effective going forward, something Tuchel has made a conscious effort to improve since arriving in London.

Defensively it seemed like any training ground bust-ups between Kepa Arrizabalaga and Antonio Rudiger were long in the past as the fluidity and chemistry across the back allowed for a compact defensive performance spearheaded by Thiago Silva once again.

‘It was an outstanding performance in all matters, in all subjects of the game. It was clear we needed exactly that to beat the benchmark in the Premier League which is City and I’m very happy we could deliver. This was the basis of a well-deserved win,’ said Tuchel.

By Will Tyrrell