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Football London
Football London
Sport
Lee Wilmot & Adam Newson

Tuchel delivers update on Hudson-Odoi and Azpilicueta ahead of Chelsea Champions League clash

Thomas Tuchel is hopeful that he will have Cesar Azpilicueta and Callum Hudson-Odoi available for Chelsea's Champions League clash with Lille this week.

The Blues return to action in Europe's premier competition with a home game against last year's Ligue Un champions in the round of 16 first leg clash at Stamford Bridge.

Lille go into the game against the Blues having had an extra day to prepare for the encounter, having drawn 0-0 with Metz on Friday night, compared with Chelsea's game against Crystal Palace on Saturday afternoon.

However, Tuchel does not see that as an advantage for the French champions.

Speaking after the late win over Palace, the head coach said: "I think Saturday to Tuesday evening for us, and a home game after an away game in London, should not be a problem.

"Sometimes it can cause a big advantage if it’s a tight schedule but from Saturday afternoon we will arrive home more or less early, get good sleep, and we will be ready to fight with them on an ok level. It will not be decisive."

Tuchel has essentially admitted there will be no excuses there for anything other than a win in the first leg match-up.

And he will hope to be boosted by the return of two players who were missing against the Eagles.

On Azpilicueta and Hudson-Odoi, he added: "We try, we try to have them for Tuesday. Azpi has some groin problems and felt a pain in the last action of the day before yesterday’s training.

"Callum tried yesterday in training but also felt some pain around the Achilles, a bit of inflammation, but the pain was too strong so that is why both were out today."

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