Injuries to a pair of attacking players put a dent on an otherwise perfect Wednesday night for the London side.
Thomas Tuchel has failed to provide many details about the extent of Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner’s injuries but insists the duo “will be out for some matches.”
Lukaku was on the receiving end of a clumsy Lasse Nielsen tackle inside the box during Chelsea’s 4-0 Champions League win over Malmo. The Belgian marksman was able to get back on his feet following some treatment but was still in visible discomfort and was eventually subbed off in the 23rd minute.
Werner, meanwhile, pulled up clutching his hamstring and had to be replaced by Callum Hudson-Odoi just before halftime.
“Romelu twisted his ankle when he was fouled in the box and Timo has a hamstring injury, so it will take a while for both of them,” Tuchel said at his post-match press conference.
“We need more examinations to be more precise but they will be out for some matches.”
Tuchel then went on to defend his decision to start Lukaku despite informing before the game that the £97.5million man was physically and mentally tired.
“It was necessary that Romelu was on the pitch, he started very strong,” he added.
“I spoke with him about the situation, that I think he carries a bit of a mental fatigue around with him, and that I think it’s also normal, but he’s our number nine, he’s our reference up front and the best thing against mental fatigue is a goal and we knew that we could be the dominant team.
“I don’t regret it because it’s not a muscle injury and not from physical fatigue, he is more a little bit overplayed. I don’t regret it because he was decisive and things like this can happen, it’s just bad luck.”
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