Team manager Thomas Tuchel from Champions League winner FC Chelsea contracted the corona virus immediately before leaving for the Club World Cup. The former Mainz and Dortmund coach went into isolation and hopes to be able to fly to Abu Dhabi for the Club World Cup at the end of next week.
For the team with Antonio Rüdiger, Kai Havertz and Timo Werner, the departure was already planned for Saturday, immediately after the difficult 2:1 (1:1, 1:1) aet in the FA Cup fourth round game against the third division Plymouth Argyle. Havertz provided the template for the winning goal through Marcos Alonso (105′ + 1′), goalkeeper Kepa then saved a penalty kick (118′) from the outsider.
The English champions and Premier League leaders Manchester City won 4-1 (2-1) against second division FC Fulham, with international Ilkay Gündogan (6th) scoring the 1-1 equaliser. John Stones (13th) scored to make it 2-1. Fabio Carvalho (4th) surprisingly gave the Londoners the lead. Riyad Mahrez (53rd, penalty kick/57th) made the final score.
In Abu Dhabi, Chelsea only enter action at the Club World Cup in Wednesday’s semifinals, when they meet the winner of the clash between Al-Jazira Club or Al-Hilal.
