As one of the most charismatic and fascinating managers in the Premier League, if not the world, Thomas Tuchel's virtual defeatism regarding Chelsea's Champions League hopes since their 3-1 defeat by Real Madrid has been odd.
Karim Benzema scored a hat-trick at Stamford Bridge last week to give Los Blancos the lead in their quarter-final first leg, and the German insisted the tie was 'dead'.
'Does this [tie] come to life with this performance?' 'No, not right now,' Tuchel added. He has only slightly revised his assessment of the tie ahead of the second leg at the Santiago Bernabeu tonight.
'Not the best chance,' Tuchel said on the eve of the second leg. 'Given the circumstances of the first leg, as well as where and against whom we play this match, the task is incredibly difficult.
'It is one of the most difficult challenges to perform as the away team at the Bernabeu,' Tuchel said just before flying to Spain with a squad that was missing Romelu Lukaku due to injury.
'It's even more difficult if you have to achieve a specific result. It's nearly impossible to win if you need to win by at least two goals, let alone three.'
Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti and midfielder Casemiro have both stated that they will not be swayed by the'mind games,' but Tuchel has expressed reservations about his own abilities.
Mason Mount and Timo Werner each scored twice, with Marcos Alonso and Kai Havertz also scoring at St Mary's, but Tuchel later stated, 'The result and performance (at Southampton) is good because I am sure that lifts everyone's spirits.' However, the task is enormous. Let's be real. Everything is possible in football, but let's be realistic: it's still the Bernabeu and a very different opponent than today.'
There is no doubt about it. Real Madrid does not have a similar record in LaLiga to Southampton, which has conceded six or more goals in ten Premier League matches, more than any other team in history.
But that doesn't mean Chelsea can't apply some of what they learned against the Saints in the second leg. In a much-improved defensive performance from the Blues, Ralph Hasenhuttl's side was limited to one shot on goal.
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