Azpilicueta: “Hazard hurts not to have continuity”

When César Azpilicueta (Zizur Mayor, 1989) is asked about his Osasuna or the Spanish team, he can't help but smile. All of this brings back good memories, but he quickly focuses on what is coming next, a very tough Champions League tie against Atlético de Madrid.

The Chelsea captain sees his team with possibilities and believes that if they achieve a perfect tie they will be able to be in the quarter-finals of the only competition that remains to be won. This is how he tells it in an interview with Efe.

What was wrong with Frank Lampard that a change was needed?

The results are clearly not being positive. Now we have recovered that ground and the minimum we have to be in is in those positions, fighting to be in the Champions League, but a club like Chelsea has the maximum demand and you have to be as high as possible.

What are the differences between Frank Lampard and Thomas Tuchel?

Tuchel has come up with very clear ideas, seeking a change in the system, a control football, both offensive and defensive, trying to create many chances, creating opportunities by having many attacking players … That defensive balance of being able to recover as quickly as possible. possible the ball and re-create counterattacks. The team has shown that solidity, although I think we have not scored all the goals that we should in the situations we have encountered.

Was it what Chelsea required? Stability?

That consistency and that confidence in the results that the new system with which we are playing gives us, controlling all the games that we have played … that is important. You are creating those relationships on the pitch with your teammates, knowing how we can exploit our strengths and little by little the team will continue to grow because we have a great squad.

The Spanish have benefited from the change. To Marcos Alonso, Kepa and you.

The fact of nationality is a coincidence. When there is a change of coach, players who are not playing become more important because the style of play requires it or because the coach thinks you can contribute more. These situations can be seen in all teams that change technicians. Both Marcos and Kepa and myself, who have enjoyed more minutes, try to make the most of it. The competition here is brutal at all levels and in all competitions.

Is your captain position more relevant when there are so many swings like in Chelsea?

From my position I always try to help my teammates, the coaching staff, the coach. I have to always be open to new ideas, what the technician asks for and adapt. All coaches have different tactics and personalities, but in the end what everyone is looking for is to win. As a winning club that we are, we always seek to go further and win. When there are coach changes I always try to help my best.

The only great title that is missing is the Champions League. How do you deal with the illusion of a new tie and the fear that it may be the last?

I always try to think positive. If you live with that fear, you can't go anywhere. It is true that every opportunity that passes is a missed opportunity and we know they are limited, but I have that illusion. It is the title that all children dream of when you are little … you hear the
music, you see the Champions League and that thorn that I have there of course I always want to get it out. If you want to be the best, you have to face the best teams in Europe and Atlético de Madrid is one of them. We need a perfect tie to qualify.

What weapons does Chelsea have to hurt Atlético?

Both teams are on a positive streak right now. They are leaders in their own right. They have experience in competition, whereas last year we took a heavy blow against Bayern Munich. Now we have a new opportunity. We are a younger team and also with experienced players. We always try
play to create chances, dominating the game and hopefully we make it difficult for them.

What have you seen from Atlético this year?

I see a very solid team. Defensively, the games I've seen create very few chances for them. Up … if you see the number of level players they have in the squad, who can make a difference to you at any time and are showing it in the amount
of goals they are scoring. Players who adapt to different systems, workers. It is a very complete team.

Is it just time that Ziyech, Werner and Havertz need to succeed?

It is difficult because you come to a new team, to a new league, in the situation that we are with the virus. It is not easy and they are players of the highest level. Both they and everyone else want them to adapt as quickly as possible. Sometimes each one takes longer, less time … They are footballers who are key pieces in the club, in the president and in the future and I have no doubt that with the quality they have they will make a difference. Hopefully in this final stretch of the season we can count on all of them.

They are going to have Luis Suárez in front of them, which may be their biggest breakdown
upside down.

He is a player whose scoring figures speak for themselves and we know that he is a threat in attack that will require us to defend very well, as a team. In general, it is not only him, there are other players who can create opportunities since as a team he is very balanced.
If we are successful in this tie it is because we have been able to defend very well.

Hazard and his desire to succeed

Azpilicueta also spoke about Eden Hazard's situation at Real Madrid. He regrets his injuries and talks about the Belgian's dream, who wants to triumph in white. “Eden (Hazard) is a great friend of mine and of course it hurts me to see him like this, that he can't show his quality, especially when here at Chelsea he barely missed a game. He was a very regular player and despite the kicks he did. They beat him, he has always been available. Seeing that he cannot have that continuity hurts and so does him. He has that thorn in the ground and I have no doubt that I hope this will pass as quickly as possible, that he will chain those three or four good games that still haven't he has been able to show his talent. His dream was to play for Real Madrid and he wants to show that he can, “said the Chelsea man.