However, Tuchel believes our involvement in the Carabao Cup semi-finals and a Premier League schedule without postponements, alongside untimely injuries and other absences among the squad, has had a particular impact on the physical and mental sharpness of his players, as well as performances and results.
‘There is some proof that the schedule that we had in particular was a bit too much,’ he admitted. ‘At the same time, we have struggled with injuries; at first in midfield, then in the second period it was all strikers and now it’s suddenly all defenders that are out.
‘It’s a bit awkward to deal with and we struggled with it. We struggled to find the same rhythm and consistency in our results, that’s proven, but still the way we played the games and the way we approached them was always okay.’