FA Cup: Real Reason I Benched Lukaku Against Crystal Palace – Tuchel

Published

4 years ago

April 17, 2022

Chelsea boss, Thomas Tuchel, has said that he benched Romelu Lukaku against Crystal Palace in Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final tie because the Belgium international lacks match fitness.

Tuchel opted to start Timo Werner ahead of Lukaku as Chelsea defeated Crystal Palace 2-0 at Wembley Stadium.

Two second-half goals from Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Mason Mount gave Chelsea the victory against Palace.

Explaining why he did not start Lukaku, Tuchel said during his press conference: “He is not fit enough for the intensity of our game in an FA Cup semi-final.

“It is not easy to come into a game such as this with so much riding on it after a spell out with injury.

“It is just a case of him not having as much minutes recently as the other players, his match fitness is not quite there otherwise, there is a big chance that he would have started today.”

Related Topics:Crystal Palace FA Cup Tuchel

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AFCON 2025: Four Teams Qualify For Round Of 16

Published

2 days ago

December 29, 2025

Editor

South Africa became the fourth team to confirm their place in the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Bafana Bafana edged a five-goal thriller against rivals Zimbabwe, winning 3-2 on Monday evening.

Tshepang Moremi opened the scoring for Hugo Broos’ side, before Tawanda
Maswanhise equalised in the 19th minute.

Lyle Foster restored South Africa’s lead five minutes after the break, but Aubrey Modiba drew the match level in the 73rd minute.

The winning goal came with eight minutes remaining, as Oswin Appollis converted from the penalty spot.

The result took South Africa to six points, one behind group winners Egypt. Both sides have qualified for the next round, alongside Nigeria and Algeria.

AFCON: Uganda Coach Lists Three Things His Team Must Do Against Nigeria

Published

2 days ago

December 29, 2025

Editor

Uganda head coach Paul Put has outlined three key areas his side must focus on to secure victory against Nigeria when both teams clash in Tuesday’s Africa Cup of Nations tie.

Put’s side must claim all three points against the Super Eagles or risk an early exit from the competition. The Cranes have just one point in Group C after their opening two matches.
A win against Nigeria could see Uganda qualify as one of the best third-placed teams.

However, speaking at his pre-match press conference on Monday, Put said that for Uganda to overcome Eric Chelle’s side, they must “concentrate be very prepared and win their duels” against Nigeria.

“We have to go for it [win against Nigeria] and we will do it,” Put said.

“Nigerians play at a high level in Europe, so we have to be very concentrated, very prepared and win our duels, which is one of the strong points of Nigeria.”