Thomas Tuchel is still unsure about Romelu Luakaku’s availability against Juventus, but insists the Blues must beat the Old Lady.
Chelsea host Massimiliano Allegri’s side at Stamford Bridge tomorrow night.
It’s a key clash to determine the Group H winner as Juventus have already qualified for the last 16, while Chelsea need a point in the last two games.
Former Inter striker Romelu Lukaku has been out of action with an ankle injury for a month but could make his comeback against the Bianconeri.
“Not sure yet [Lukaku]. He semed ok in training yesterday, we will see about the reaction,” Tuchel said at a pre-match press conference, as quoted by Football London.
“He has an appointment with the doctors and physios. Maybe we can bring 20 players to the squad. The last minutes would be the absolute maximum.
“Jorginho is absolutely OK. Kai had a hamstring problem so we took him off and we have some doubts about him. This is more or less the question mark.”
Allegri discussed Lukaku’s availability during his press conference in Turin, highlighting how the Premier League leaders could make the most of his absence, in case he doesn’t recover.
Lukaku played the reverse fixture in Turin in September, failing to find the net. He has only scored one goal in seven games with Inter and Manchester United against the Serie A giants.
Allegri suggests Lukaku’s absence could help Chelsea against Juventus
“We will not risk our qualification and go all-in if the situation is like this but we will try everything to win the game and the group and to do this, we have to win the game,” continued Tuchel who refused to comment on Ole Gunnar’s Solskjaer sacking at Manchester United.
“We don’t think about Man United. We are occupied with the Juventus game and I will not comment on other club’s coaching decisions,” the German tactician said.
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich could be at Stamford Bridge tomorrow.
“I have to say that I don’t know if he will be here tomorrow so maybe that answers the question,” the coach admitted.
“First and most important, he is a huge football fan and is in love with the game and the details. He wants to know about what is going on and we keep him posted.
“We give our very best if the owner is here or if he is not here. He will watch us closely anyway if he isn’t here. We put a show on a daily basis and that is with hard work to make him happy and all our supporters who are in the stadium tomorrow.”
It's another #UCL week so that means Monday press conferences. Thomas Tuchel and Trevoh Chalobah will be joining us to preview the game vs Juventus. https://t.co/uSiv3viV2h
— Adam Newson (@AdamNewson) November 22, 2021
I’ll be utterly teed off if Jorginho is awarded a penalty against Juventus and nets it…I’m still fuming over the missed PK against Switzerland.