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Football London
Football London
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Alan Smith

Every word Zsolt Low said on Chelsea vs Palmeiras, Thomas Tuchel and Kepa vs Mendy dilemma

Expectations of Palmeiras and their fans?

We know a lot about Palmeiras. We watch a lot of games of the team. We know they win the last two times the Copa Libertadores. We expect a very difficult game, a good opponent. The fans we know. Thiago and Kenedy talk about how good the fans are. We expect a lot of them there tomorrow. It can be like an away game for us but we're well prepared. We know the opponent. They are strong but we are also strong.

Will Thomas be here? What have you learnt about Palmeiras?

We still hope he can come and enjoy the group as soon as possible. Palmeiras are very emotional. We see a lot of emotion and passion from them but good technical quality from every player. They have a European coach who brings structure to the team with good technical players. In the last 10 games they don't lose one. They are in good shape and form. But on the other side we are in good shape and form. We're well prepared. That's why I expect a good game tomorrow. The spectators can enjoy a good game.

Standout player?

I don't want to pick out one. They are a good team. We watched their last game live and their Copa Libertadores final on video. We're well prepared but I don't want to talk about one person. We have to prepare our team as a team against a really good football team from Brazil.

Are you conscious of losing to a Brazilian club again after 2012?

It's a long time ago. But we're really aware and know really well that Brazilian teams are good in the Club World Cup’s history. The game was a lot of years before. Now we have a different team, different coaching team. This is a different game tomorrow. We want to have the feeling of favourites as the champions of Europe. We'll be confident in this game. We felt and talked already about the players being nervous in the first game. The nerves are now gone and we'll play with a good attitude.

Good to have Mendy back?

We're very proud of Edou. The whole squad was happy he won the Africa cup. He arrives in a very good mood. Always has a big smile on his face. He's very important to the group. He gives a lot of energy. He was a little tired the first day, needed recovery and a good sleep, but he is fully involved in training. We're very happy that he's healthy and absolutely in good shape with good experience behind him. He's ready to play the game.

Tuchel?

We hope he can come. We have 30 hours to the game. He follows the rules and protocols. Still a lot of time. We hope he can come but if not we are well prepared, we have a lot of meetings. We talk about the game, we analyse the game and see what we can do better. We're absolutely clear what to do better in the second game.

Thoughts on UAE?

We're very happy to be here. We had a warm welcome. We feel comfortable in this country. We had a good trip, a very nice hotel with a good atmosphere. FIFA and the organisation of the tournament - we have all we need. Everyone tries to help. We feel very comfortable. It helps us a lot to prepare for the final.

Ziyech?

I don't want to talk about what's happened with the national team. It's something Hakim and the national coach has to clear. For Chelsea we are very happy. He's in good mood and fully focused on the game. He had a good performance in the first game. We feel he's happy and free. He thinks about the national team but it's not our problem to deal with it. From the club side we see him focused. We can count on him.

Is the format biased towards European and South American clubs? And how important was Lukaku's goal for him?

First question, we are not in charge of the tournament. We follow the tournament rules. We come and play. Our preparation wasn't easy. We played 120 minutes and had a long trip with a big time difference. In the first days we fought hard to find a good rhythm and find energy for players again. Then we play Al Hilal, it was very difficult to beat them, then two days to prepare for the final. It's not an exclusive situation. We have the rhythm. We prepare as best as possible. Don't try to find excuses but don't see big advantage right now. For Romelu we're very happy he scores. For a striker, his confidence, it's very important to score. Especially the two - Kai and Romelu work very well. It was important for Kai to prepare this goal. It helps the player's confidence for sure. It's important.

Will it be Kepa or Mendy?

We're very happy with both goalkeepers. It's a comfortable situation to have both goalkeepers like this. Now Edou is back he is fresh, we have to take the decision tonight. We talk to Thomas about it. The final decision will be some hours before the game but if we decide for one or the other the one on the bench has nothing to be worried or sad about. Both goalkeepers had a big performance in the last weeks. This is why it's a question just for this game. Tonight or latest tomorrow.

Is Tuchel's bag packed?

Thomas will absolutely want to be here. The whole club wants that. We hope he can make it. We have 30 hours. Every test can be negative and with one he can fly and join the group.

How important is this game?

When we enter a competition it's important to win it. This is a big competition. Only two English clubs have won the Club World Cup before, Chelsea never have. That's why we're very interested to have a good performance tomorrow and win this title. Then the collection is completed, Chelsea win every possible competition. We absolutely want to win tomorrow.

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