Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has taken responsibility for the English League Cup final defeat after his goalkeeping move failed this time.
“If you want to blame someone, blame me. I make the decisions and I don’t make them to be the hero,” said Tuchel after the bitter 10-11 defeat against Liverpool with coach Jürgen Klopp.
Tuchel could have made another clever move on Sunday evening in the extension of the final like in the won UEFA Supercup final in August. At that time, keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga had also come on as an extra and secured the title with two saved penalties against FC Villarreal from Spain. But things went wrong against Liverpool.
“It’s tough and we feel for him”
In the 120th minute, Kepa (27), as previously discussed, came on for first-choice goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, saved none of eleven penalties, and then went on himself and shot the ball over the Reds goal.
“It’s tough and we feel for him, but we don’t blame him. We made the decision like we did before the last penalty shoot-out because Kepa trains with the players every day. And they know how good he is,” explained Tuchel .
“Fall and get up. Disappointed after the great effort during the tournament. We keep working. Thank you @chelseafc family for your support,” Kepa wrote on Instagram.
Mendy might even have been able to win the match. The 29-year-old, who dominated 119 minutes, recently won the Africa Cup of Nations with Senegal against Egypt – where he saved a try on penalties in the final.