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Chelsea FC vs Man City: Thomas Tuchel wants to close gap after learning lessons from master Pep Guardiola

 (ES Composite)
(ES Composite)

Thomas Tuchel has praised Pep Guardiola for having a "huge influence" on his career as the two coaches prepare to go head to head in the FA Cup semi-final on Saturday.

Tuchel and Guardiola crossed paths crossed in the Bundesliga when the German was in charge of Mainz and then Borussia Dortmund, while Spaniard Guardiola held the reins at Bayern Munich.

Before arriving in Germany, Guardiola led Barcelona to 14 trophies - including the Champions League twice - and Tuchel said he had learnt important lessons watching the Spaniard's methods.

As Tuchel's Chelsea and Guardiola's Manchester City face off at Wembley this weekend, the Blues coach took time in his pre-match press conference to speak highly of his counterpart.

"He was a huge influence because when he was coach of Barcelona I was watching almost every game," Tuchel said on Friday.

"I was very impressed by the way they made success happen with the style they were playing. I learned a lot watching the game and understanding more of the game.

"So it was a big, big lesson. At this time I was a coach at the academy and then at Mainz.

“Almost every game was a lesson and later we had the opportunity to play against him. It was a pleasure to meet him and fight at the highest level."

ES Composite
ES Composite

Man City are chasing a quadruple this season and have a 20-point lead over fifth-placed Chelsea in the Premier League.

Tuchel acknowledged the gulf in class between the two sides at present but said his team would hunt down City next season.

"We have to accept there is a gap between us," Tuchel said. "If you look at the fixtures in the last few years we have to accept it, but without making us feel small.

"From day one next season we will hunt them and try to close the gap. In Europe, there are two teams that are the benchmark: Manchester City and Bayern Munich."

Additional reporting by Reuters.

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