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Chelsea boss Tuchel hopeful Ziyech, Kovacic will make Carabao Cup final

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel is hopeful Hakim Ziyech and Mateo Kovacic will recover in time for Sunday's Carabao Cup final.

The duo's potential injuries were the only sour note during Chelsea's 2-0 win over Lille in the Champions League last-16 first leg at Stamford Bridge.

Asked for news on the fitness of Kovacic and Ziyech, Tuchel replied: "I don't know. I should have subbed Mateo Kovacic at half-time so could have had one more change.

"I have not spoken to the doctor about Hakim and hope it is not serious.

"Today is Tuesday, there are a lot of days to recover until Sunday. We don't like to have that many injuries and more impact from the bench on a tactical matter.

"I hope they will be ready for Sunday."

On the match itself, Tuchel added: "With away goals, it would be better! We have another clean sheet. It was well deserved, it was hard work to not allow chances, they were a strong opponent.

"There was a little bit of up and down, some very good moments, some weak moments, but we never gave big chances away. A tough game but a deserved win. We were a bit passive and too deep, and we suffered in ball possession. But we kept the belief, we fought back, and scored a very good second goal."

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Freddie Taylor

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