Thomas Tuchel reflects on ‘missed opportunity’ after 1-1 draw against Southampton

Thomas Tuchel was left frustrated after his Chelsea side were held to a 1-1 draw against Southampton in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.

Chelsea were left to take only a point on the south coast after Mason Mount slotted away from the penalty spot to cancel out Takumi Minamino’s ice cool finish in the 33rd minute. 

It ended a run of five straight league wins for Chelsea and Tuchel wasn’t pleased with their decisiveness and aggressiveness in the final third at St Mary’s.

“It feels like a missed opportunity,” Tuchel said post-match. 

“We were very good in the first 80 metres of the pitch but the last 20 I was not happy. We were not decisive enough, we were not aggressive enough, we were not clinical enough to be ahead and create more big chances.

(Photo by NEIL HALL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

“Our decision making was not good, and if you need a penalty to score once it tells the story.

“We made bad choices with balls that were overhit, underhit, then we slipped, we couldn’t take a two against one. I missed the aggressiveness and the determination in the box to finish this game early.”

Chelsea now face a tricky next seven games in all competitions. Manchester United, Liverpool and Everton all await in the league, as does a two-legged Champions League tie against Atletico Madrid and an FA Cup quarter-final tie against Sheffield United. 

Tuchel’s side need to improve and they don’t have time to dwell. They have to start performing all over the pitch and now, consistently.

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