Thomas
Tuchel says the decision to bring on Kepa Arrizabalaga before penalty
shootouts was made months ago as the Spaniard's heroics helped Chelsea win
the Super Cup.
Kepa replaced Chelsea No 1 Edouard Mendy with just a minute to go in
extra-time against Villarreal in Belfast, with the score at 1-1, before he
saved two penalties to help the Blues to a 6-5 penalty shootout victory.
Mendy's body language when being replaced suggested the move was planned,
and Tuchel said after the game that the decision had first been made before
Chelsea's FA Cup tie with Barnsley in February, the German's first cup game
in charge of the club.
Tuchel was full of praise for both goalkeepers, as the European champions
made a winning start to competitive action.
"It was not spontaneous," Tuchel told BT Sport. "We talked about it with the
goalkeepers when we came and had the first cup game against Barnsley.
"So we had some statistics, we were well prepared, that Kepa is the best in
percentage in saving penalties.
"The analysis guys and the goalkeeping coaches showed me, introduced me to
the data, then we spoke with the players, that this can happen when we play
in a knockout game, and since then they know.
"It's fantastic how Eddy accepts it. It's fantastic how this talk went
before the cup game in Barnsley. Since then they know.
"Of course we needed to do what's good for the team. It was necessary. I'm
happy that it worked.
"There is proof that Kepa is better at this discipline. These guys are true
team players. I am happy for Kepa and happy for Eddy, to have a goalkeeper
like this, to not show the pride to not step off the field, and is happy to
do it for the team, to take one for the team. It's top."
Kepa also told BT Sport after the game: "It's not a typical situation.
Finally we won, and we are so happy. I think all the team did a fantastic
job, and we got the medal.
"It's not a normal situation. But I was ready because I knew that this can
happen. I try to be ready mentally, and physically."
Mendy added: "Of course I am happy, because we won. We work for that, for
the success, and I knew since last year, if Kepa comes on the pitch, he will
help the team, he did today, and I am really happy with Kepa.
"It's teamwork, it's a team effort. When you play for Chelsea, you play for
success, for titles. We did that together, and we are happy."
'Mentally good, physically the worst'
Chelsea had taken a deserved lead after 27 minutes thanks to Hakim Ziyech
but Villarreal improved from there and earned their equaliser through Gerard
Moreno after 73 minutes.
Tuchel admits Chelsea were patchy, but on the whole deserved to win.
"It was tough, 120 minutes, out of more or less nothing," he said. "We were
very strong in the first 30, 35 minutes, then we lost a bit of easy balls
after our goal.
"Second half we were too passive, too many ball losses they equalised, well
deserved, right after we conceded the goal we were very strong again.
"We invested I think more over the 120 minutes, and we deserved to win."
Tuchel's side kick off their Premier League season at home to Crystal Palace
at 3pm on Saturday, and Tuchel said 120 minutes was not ideal preparation.
"Mentally [tonight was] a good one, physically the worst thing that can
happen to play Saturday afternoon. Victory helps us regenerate and we have
to be careful now," he added.
One negative for Chelsea was a worrying shoulder injury for goalscorer
Ziyech, who was taken off in the first half and appeared on the sidelines in
the second half with his arm in a sling.
"If you take a player out during the first half, it is serious.
Unfortunately, because he was a very decisive player for us in the last
games."
Analysis: Tuchel gets it right again
Sky Sports' Adam Bate: "It was not easy for Chelsea and if Villarreal had
edged this there could have been few complaints. After a strong start, the
Champions League winners found it difficult. But Tuchel's stunning start to
life at Stamford Bridge continues. He got the big call right.
"There was some bemusement when Kepa came on, the accepted wisdom being that
Mendy is the superior goalkeeper and as such would be better placed to save
the penalties in the shootout too. But Tuchel does not do accepted wisdom,
he does logic and analysis.
"The data told him that Kepa is more likely to save spot-kicks than Mendy.
He went with it knowing that while there would have been criticism if it had
not gone Chelsea's way, there was a method behind it. The lesson from his
time in England is that Tuchel's methods work."
What's next?
It is a quick turnaround for Chelsea. Their Premier League season begins
against Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge on Saturday at 3pm.
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