Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel: 'Edouard Mendy must move on from Real Madrid error'

Head coach Thomas Tuchel has called on Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy to prove that he is "a true champion" in response to the mistake that he made against Real Madrid on Wednesday night.

Within a minute of the second half getting underway, Mendy failed to deal with a back-pass, allowing Karim Benzema to net his hat-trick and ultimately seal a 3-1 victory for Los Blancos in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie.

Mendy has also conceded seven goals in just two appearances, but Tuchel has backed the Senegal international to move on from two disappointing performances between the sticks.

Speaking to reporters at a press conference, Tuchel said: "He can solve this situation much better, he knows this. It's bad timing. In any match, it is bad timing to do a mistake like this, especially in a quarter-final against Real Madrid. It's one of the worst moments that you can do this.

"I hope that it does not affect his self-confidence because this is what goalkeeping is also about. Accept mistakes and to live with mistakes, and go back and help your team with performance.

"Focus, refocus, stay calm and stay confident. This is usually what goalkeepers are made of, what Edouard is made of, and now he can prove that he is a true champion."

Chelsea face another three matches in quick succession, starting with the fixture at Southampton in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.