'Don't drop the level' - Tuchel cautions Chelsea ahead of Real Madrid tie

The Blues boss has issued his side a challenge for the upcoming all-important Champions League semi-final first-leg match.

Thomas Tuchel demands from Chelsea to not “drop the level” when they face Real Madrid on Tuesday.

Chelsea has been a force to reckon with ever since Tuchel replaced Frank Lampard in the dugout back in January.

They have ended up on the wrong side of a scoreline only twice in 21 matches in all competitions since beating the likes of Manchester City, Tottenham, Liverpool, Porto, and Atletico Madrid on the road and avoiding conceding a goal in 16 of those games.

The Blues will be presented with their toughest test of the season so far they take the trip to the Alfredo Di Stefano later tonight to take on Spanish champions and 13-time European titleholders Real Madrid.

“Maybe the next level is to keep the level, don’t drop the level. And I strongly believe in our squad that we can do this,” Tuchel told, via Evening Standard.

“Sometimes in circumstances playing against a big, experienced team and a huge club in European competition like Real Madrid, maybe the next step is to keep the level and not to over-expect from us.

“Because I truly believe that we showed in Tottenham, Liverpool and Atletico and Porto that we are capable of consistently producing high-level football, in all questions that are asked on the pitch in offensive and defensive terms.

“So the challenge is for me more to produce it again, and to keep the level up.”