Thomas Tuchel was delighted with many aspects of his Chelsea team after their comprehensive 4-0 win over Burnley.
The Blues stormed into a three-goal lead within eight second-half minutes through a Reece Jamesopener and a subsequent Kai Havertz brace, before Christian Pulisic added some gloss with a fourth goal later on.
With everything going on in the background, such a resounding score-line was exactly the tonic that Tuchel needed.
On half-time talk
It was quite a tepid opening half from Chelsea but Tuchel says that his team-talk was relaxed.
“It was very calm," he said. "We just reminded everybody what we want to do. We just reminded everybody where the spaces are, where we want to find their acceleration, and where we also need to step-up.
"Clearly up-front, we need to ask more questions and we needed to make life more difficult for the back-four. The goal then opens the game for us and it gave us a lot of belief, a lot of confidence, and then our play became more fluid and absolutely more decisive.
"On the one hand, it was very difficult because the pitch was so dry. We had a lot of ball possession but it became difficult to accelerate the game. he ball got stuck between our legs and once you pass it, it is already a second too late and then the spaces are already closed.
"We had a bit of a switch in tactics to give [N'Golo Kante] a bit more space and with two strikers on the pitch, the team did very well and we kept on believing and had a fantastic second half with a brilliant result. The ball got stuck between our legs and once you pass it, it is already a second too late and then the spaces are already closed."
On focusing
There has been a great deal going on in recent weeks but Tuchel remained adamant that his players can block off the exterior noise.
"It is possible because we do it. We had a brilliant match at Wembley [against Liverpool]. Even to make things harder, a disappointing result at the end.
"Still, three days later, we were at Luton, a totally different setup, a totally different environment and circumstances, we were twice behind, turned it around, job done.
"Three days later Burnley, Turf Moor. You know what’s waiting: physicality, headers, second balls, fighting for second balls, crosses, set pieces and again we stepped up. So for me, it showed a lot of character. That’s why I’m very proud.
"It shows the guys have what it takes to play for Chelsea, it shows obviously the environment to focus on football because we believe we are allowed to focus on football as good as possible. That is why I’m very happy."
On Reece James
The return of James provided a big boost for the Blues with the wing-back providing a goal and assist.
"We missed him for such a long time that we almost got used to it. I think it was like nine weeks and we played something like 25 matches in that time. We were constantly trying to find solutions and we did find solutions as a team, and we managed to win games and even trophies in this period.
"But once he is back and plays three times, and first time from the beginning, you see what we missed. Huge quality and it's very impressive how decisive he is in training and in the games.
"These positions are very important positions if you play with this structure and it's the same on the left side. So it puts things into perspective when you see what we missed and I am very happy that he came back like this."
On Roman Abramovich chants
Before kick-off, many Chelsea fans were chanting the name of their former owner, Roman Abramovich, as opposed to clapping in solidarity for the plight of Ukrainians. Those that partook in these chants angered Tuchel.
"It's not the moment to do this. Listen, if we show solidarity we show solidarity and we should do it together.
"We take the knee together and if an important person from our club or another club unfortunately dies, we show a minute of respect. It's not the moment to give other messages. It's the moment to show respect.
"We do this because this is what we are also as a club. We show respect as a club and we need our fans to commit to this minute of applause. At this moment, we do it for Ukraine and there is no second opinion about the situation there. They have our thoughts and our support.
"We should stand together as a club. It's not the moment for other messages."
On Thiago Silva
With a wry smile, Tuchel couldn't help but heap praise on his veteran defender, Thiago Silva, who put in another masterclass in the centre of the back-three.
"He is so professional. The dressing rooms are not so big here – which is not a problem – but you're in there for an hour and 15 minutes after 40 hours together so close, you see that even today, even if I know him after Paris, the focus and how professional he prepares for every single game.
"That's why he can perform like this. In a match that has so many long balls, so many second balls where you rely on the quality of your first touch, so many times where if you win a ball in the air, you have to think it lands or does it come back again in a second wave, or does it stay with you?
"If you have the technical ability it makes a huge difference and that is what he does. It is very impressive but I can tell you he works very, very hard and on top of it he is a fantastic person and a big character in the dressing room."