Episode two of Porto Uncovered begins with unseen footage of Thomas Tuchel reliving that special evening in Portugal for the first time, showcasing the scenes from the preparation and build-up to the occasion, to the moment the final whistle blew and the celebrations could begin.
We know our head coach is a highly tactical, intrinsic coach who likes to analyse and watch footage back, but the German admits, at the beginning of episode two of our Porto Uncovered documentary, that he had not once watched the full match of our magical night at the Dragao back again.
The Bavarian had come so close to Champions League triumph in the previous campaign with Paris Saint-Germain, but ultimately suffered heartbreak as Bayern Munich ran out victorious thanks to a Kingsley Coman strike.
‘I haven’t watched the game in full 97 minutes until today,’ says Tuchel. For him, the memories he still holds are just as much from the wider occasion than the match itself.
‘I will never forget the week, how we built up to it. I will never forget the moments in the hotel with my staff, and the last two days in Porto and the celebration with my friends and family. It was very, very special,’ our head coach adds.
Tuchel is not scared to admit that he was ‘super nervous’ ahead of the final against Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, and reveals that winning the competition has made him even hungrier to improve and continue succeeding in SW6.
‘I keep this as a memory and as an experience to become a better coach,’ says Tuchel.
The first episode of Porto Uncovered will be available on the official Chelsea website and The 5th Stand app from Tuesday. Using exclusive interviews and behind-the-scenes content, it brings you the real story of our 2021 Champions League triumph, told through the eyes of the players, staff and supporters who were at the heart of that famous victory.
Episode One follows our gruelling route to the final and the challenges we overcame to reach Porto. Episode Two, which comes out on Thursday, picks up the tale at the Estadio do Dragao by looking at the preparations for the final, the match itself and the incredible celebrations on the pitch, in the dressing room and in the stands.