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https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/2022/02/10/kepa--we-knew-it-would-be-tough

Kepa: We knew it would be tough

10 Feb 2022


Kepa Arrizabalaga was pleased to play his part in our FIFA Club World Cup
semi-final win over Al Hilal and says the quality of our opposition in the
United Arab Emirates came as no surprise for the Blues.


https://i.imgur.com/xn1ZTzo.jpg


We triumphed 1-0 in our first match in Abu Dhabi against the Saudi Arabian
side, booking our place in Saturday's final against Brazilians Palmeiras
for a chance to lift this trophy for the first time in Chelsea history.


However, we were made to work hard for that win as, after a dominant
performance from the Blues for an hour, Al Hilal pushed back in the second
half in pursuit of an equaliser, leaving our goalkeeper pleased with the
way we came through our first challenge in the Club World Cup.


'We're very happy,' said Kepa. 'This was our target, to be in the final
on Saturday. We faced a very tough opponent, we knew we would. We did it,
but the game was very hard.'


The Spaniard was required to make a couple of crucial saves during that
difficult period in the second half, first rushing out to block Moussa
Marega at close range and then diving at full stretch to claw away a
powerful Mohamed Kanno drive.


https://i.imgur.com/ijD8v5V.jpg
Denying Kanno with a brilliant save


Kepa was pleased to have helped the team progress with his contribution at
such a decisive part of the game, as we weathered the best our opponents
could throw at us in front of a partisan crowd providing majority support
for Al Hilal, and emerged unscathed to keep our chance of winning another
trophy alive.


He also explained it was a situation the Blues had expected given the
Saudis' status as Asian Champions League holders and their impressive 6-1
victory over Al Jazira in the previous round of the Club World Cup, even
if it was a deserved win for Chelsea.


'I think we controlled the game, a big part of the game. We created a lot
of chances, but they are a team of champions also, so obviously they would
create chances as well.


https://i.imgur.com/hlm1bqp.jpg
Receiving his team-mates' appreciation after the final whistle at the
Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium


'I was happy to help the team, happy to be there in an important moment
and we are happy that we are going to the final.'


That 1-0 victory was also achieved despite the handicap of head coach
Thomas Tuchel being absent. The German was not able to attend the win over
Al Hilal, or the weekend's FA Cup victory at Stamford Bridge, after
testing positive for Covid.


However, he has been in constant contact during that period and Kepa feels
the quality of our coaching staff and the players' familiarity with the
methods used by Tuchel, as well as the demands he places on the team,
means they have been able to cope relatively well, even if it is not an
ideal situation.


'Of course we miss him,' added Kepa. 'Hopefully he can be here for the
final but we have a fantastic staff also. They are working hard with us
every day.


https://i.imgur.com/Lof1oiL.jpg
Training in Abu Dhabi


'We know already from the last year how we work with the manager, how he
wants us to prepare for games. So of course we miss the manager, but we
know what we have to do.'


Those preparations continue in Abu Dhabi as Chelsea's attention now turns
to Saturday's final, when we will face another tough opponent Palmeiras,
aiming to win the Blues' first-ever FIFA Club World Cup title.

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