Giroud is a big factor for the group - Thomas Tuchel

Thomas Tuchel has praised the impact of Olivier Giroud in Chelsea’s first leg of the Champions League against Atletico Madrid.

The Blues won by a goal to nil against their Spanish counterparts at the Arena Nationala in Bucharest, a change of venue due to coronavirus travel restrictions.

Olivier Giroud had the ball in the net in the 68-minute with an eye-catching overhead kick, showing his athleticism to arc the strike beyond Oblak at his left-hand post after the ball spun up into the air inside the penalty area following a cross from the left. 

Although the Video Assistant Referee checked the stunner for offside yet the goal was allowed to stand after the ball was measured to have come off Hermoso and not Mason Mount.

The forward, who has been effective in Chelsea’s Champions League campaign this season has been described ‘professional soccer player’ by manager, Thomas Tuchel due to his positive mentality to embrace time on the on and off the bench.

“If you see him on a daily basis, you cannot be surprised. He is totally fit, his body is in shape and his physicality is on top level.

“Mentally I have really the feeling he enjoys every day being a professional soccer player on this level and this is the level he needs to be.

“He trains like a 20-year-old, like a 24-year-old. He is a guy who has a good mixture of serious and joy in training. He is always positive and it is a big factor for the group.

“He starts, when he comes from the bench, he has all these qualities and it is good like this.”

Giroud has six goals in the Champions League after hitting four against Sevilla, a late winner at Rennes and a crucial decider against Rojiblancos.