Was that the perfect response and the one you wanted?
"Yes, it was a very good performance offensive-wise but also defensive-wise. The percentage of won challenges at half time was extraordinary and was also key to this performance because it's not only a passing game, it's not only a possession game against Southampton, it's about winning the duels, accepting the physicality.
"By winning challenges, we had chances to be dangerous in offensive transition and not only through a ball-possession game. There was a good mix in all areas of the pitch: mentality and commitment. It was very, very good."
READ MORE: Mason Mount matches Liverpool's Mo Salah as Timo Werner shows anger in Chelsea's Southampton win
What does this tell you about your team, scoring six and keeping a clean sheet just days after you conceded three and four?
"I think it tells us that we are not the team that can escape with results if our input is at 90% or 80% of our energy, commitment and investment. We are a special group when we have the priorities right. If we are committed, if we defend with courage, if we have the attitude right and the hunger right and win challenges.
"If we have the priorities clear, this is our foundation to then show the quality. Then we are a strong group and a special group of players who have a right to believe in ourselves. There is nothing to be ashamed of, but we are not the fancy group that comes with a priority of quality and see if we can get away with an 80% or 90% investment and commitment in all aspects of the game. This is what it tells me.
"There were some reasons and are some reasons why it isn't always easy for us to have this commitment and hunger and the physical input because we come from an awful lot of matches and ruthless schedule. We are the team that played the most in 2022, that is why it's not always easy but this is the reality. We need it, we simply need it.
"It's not about blaming the players. I understand there were a lot of reasons why it was hard for us after the international break but it just proves the point again today. If we have it right, we can show our quality – because we have the quality. It's what makes us a dangerous and special group."
Did Timo Werner make the statement that you wanted?
"Of course. It was his position, it was the players around him, the connection with Mason (Mount), Kai (Havertz) and Mateo (Kovacic). He loves to play and he has a connection with these players. He was in a double striker position, the half left position, and it was against an opponent that we could imagine we'd find spaces in behind because they play a high attack.
"So it was set out for him to deliver, honestly. We were not set out in a 4-1-4-1 with him on the side, everything was there for him to deliver and make a statement that he has not given up, that he is still an important player of this club and this group. And he did. It was necessary, very strong, but necessary."
Do you think this result shows the meeting you had was a turning point?
"It was necessary that turned things around, but we came from a long streak of winning and then we had the international break. Then we had five days where things don't feel the same as before. So it wasn't a huge turnaround, it wasn't necessary to change everything.
"But it was the moment for us – or I had the feeling – that it was the moment to tell the group the truth, give my honest opinion, and tell them as a part of the group this is how I feel. So the message was clear and obviously, everybody took it in the right way, I included myself in the message and so it was necessary to step up today.
"It is on the players to live up to what we play and they did it in an impressive manner today. So it's now a time to move on because we've re-found what makes us strong and it was another proof of that and we keep on going."
You flipped the two tens and the striker for a single ten and two wide strikers, how influential was that?
"We expected a 4-4-2 and both number sixes to press high. So we wanted to pin the defenders with two strikers and find Mason in a bit of an open position between the lines. We had a bit of a different role for the wing-backs today because we anticipated an aggressive 4-4-2 and wanted to have three midfielders against their two midfielders and have an ideal position for Kai and Timo.
"That was the idea behind it but, of course, it's not about the idea. It's about how we played, how committed we played, and with what quality we played. It was a different mindset today. A different attitude. And it was then followed by all the quality."
Cesar Azpilicueta and Romelu Lukaku, will they be available for Real Madrid?
"Azpi had a positive Covid test since yesterday. So I have no prediction about that. I don't even know the rules about travelling and what's going on. First of all, we need a negative test. We can't do anything about that, just hope and wait.
"Romelu I don't know yet. He had pain and could not do the last training session. He wasn't available for today and time is running. We leave the country again on Monday, so let's see."
