Chelsea head coach Thomas Tuchel has credited his assistant for the tactical tweak that proved crucial in the Blues' narrow 1-0 Champions League victory over Malmö on Tuesday night.
The visitors struggled to break the Swedish champions down in the first half, only mustering one clear-cut opportunity when Kai Havertz raced through on goal, but his weak attempt was smothered by Johan Dahlin.
Tuchel had started with Hakim Ziyech as the right-forward behind Havertz, with Callum Hudson-Odoi on the left. The wide men swapped flanks at half-time and would combine for the winning goal ten minutes later.
Hudson-Odoi played a cute one-two with Havertz before racing away down the right and playing an inch-perfect cross for Ziyech to slot into the gaping net.
Speaking after the game, Chelsea boss Tuchel revealed his assistant, Zsolt Low, had been the mastermind behind the tactical tweak.
"All the credit has to go to my assistant, he came up with the idea," he said in his post-match press conference. "We liked it to have two right-footed on the right side and two left-footed on the left side. We had the feeling that maybe we could enter into the spaces behind Malmo’s low block that we maybe lose important seconds if they have to switch the ball back onto their strong foot, then their number eights were closing spaces.
"We thought maybe we could save important tenths of a second, the situation was like this [for the goal].
"We had a breakthrough on the half position and he delivered precisely enough. The credit goes to my assistant."
Asked about Ziyech's contribution and whether this performance could serve as a springboard, Tuchel added: "Yes but still I think there is space to improve in his decision making, connections on the pitch, where to be more consistent.
"We always rely on his work rate, counter pressing, awareness. It is a huge part of his performances. He can still be more clinical and maybe grow more into the rhythm but I think his shoulder injury hurt him a lot.
"Even if he pushed hard to come back early, he is not still 100 per cent free as he should be, especially the offensive players love their freedom of turning but I am happy that if things get stuck, a goal like this will help the most. I am happy for him."
Chelsea stay second with the win in Sweden and host already-qualified Juventus next time in Group H of the Champions League as they look to snatch top spot from the Serie A giants.
Source : 90min