Thomas Tuchel admitted Chelsea looked tired in the shock 4-1 defeat to Brentford but denied suggestions of his side thinking about the upcoming clash with Real Madrid.
Antonio Rudiger had broken the deadlock with a howitzer from distance, only for Vitaly Janelt to bag a brace alongside strikes from Christian Eriksen and Yoane Wissa to send the Bees faithful into delirium at Stamford Bridge.
After the game, Tuchel said he side lacked energy following a draining international break.
He said: "It was a tough start, which is not the first time it’s been like that after an international break, and it took us a while to find our rhythm and to find full control.
"We lacked energy and we didn’t do the things that usually make us strong. We looked tired, physically and mentally tired. It’s a big challenge to play after the international break but you have to get your results right as the favourite and being at home. We didn’t do that well enough today.
"I’m aware that my expectations were not too high for this match. It’s a challenge to play after an international break and as a favourite on top of it, to dictate the match and to break down a well-organised, physical team.
"We were in the lead, in charge and I felt us better and better so I did not see that coming."
With the first leg of the Champions League quarter final clash with Real Madrid coming up on Wednesday, Tuchel added that he picked the strongest Chelsea side to face Brentford and had not thought about the game in Europe.
He added: "We selected the team because we thought it was the best team against Brentford so not half an eye, not one per cent for Real Madrid.
"Maybe if we had lost it 1-0, 2-0, 3-0 but this was not the case."
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Source : 90min