Winning last season’s final has lifted the pressure from Thomas Tuchel, but the coach has urged his players to stay hungry
The first thing to say is Chelsea did not party like it was 2012. They could not because of the restrictions of the pandemic. Nine years previously, having beaten Bayern Munich in Munich to win their first Champions League title, the squad had revelled in the mother and father of all celebrations at the team hotel.
A rooftop swimming pool provided the scene and, as the drinks flowed, people were thrown in. It went on until 8am, although some players and the manager, Roberto Di Matteo, did not make it that far, passing out in their suits on the terrace.
Written by David Hytner
This news first appeared on https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/sep/13/chelsea-begin-champions-league-defence-with-sense-of-liberation under the title “Chelsea begin Champions League defence with freedom and focus | David Hytner”. Bolchha Nepal is not responsible or affiliated towards the opinion expressed in this news article.
