Real Madrid midfielder Casemiro has responded to Thomas Tuchel’s claiming Chelsea will try to play a physical game in Tuesday’s Champions League quarter-final second-leg match.
Tuchel, who spoke in his pre-match conference earlier this morning, highlighted how Chelsea wanted to play a “physical” and “intense” game in the first leg at Stamford Bridge.
It obviously did not turn out as well as expected, although Tuchel also argued that his team were at a disadvantage due to the three-sub rules in the Premier League.
In the end, the manager said that the physicality, the commitment, and the sharpness are what make Chelsea a special team.
It is pretty clear that Chelsea will once again try to implement a similarly energetic game plan in the second leg.
Interestingly, Casemiro refused to reveal whether Real Madrid will answer the challenge.
“We can’t talk about our weapons, otherwise we’ll feed our opponents,” the Brazil international said in Monday afternoon’s press conference (via AS) when asked about Tuchel’s statement.
“We can’t trust them, we’re counting on the fans, it will be very difficult.
“They have their weapons, we have ours, and the best team will go through.
“They are the Champions League winners, they have our total respect.”
Casemiro also warned his teammates against complacency after the first-leg win.
“We played the best 90 minutes of our season in London, but we can’t rely on it,” he added.
From Real Madrid’s perspective, playing an intense, open game against Chelsea in the second leg is certainly not an attractive plan given their 3-1 advantage from the first leg.
A slow tactical battle will arguably be their best bet to conserve their lead.
Real Madrid also have Vinicius Jr’s pace and Karim Benzema’s clinical finishing to exploit any space left behind by Chelsea, who will be in search for goals from the first minute.
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