Mateo Kovacic ruled out of Chelsea’s FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City with hamstring injury

Thomas Tuchel felt ‘sad’ for Mateo Kovacic after Chelsea midfielder suffered hamstring injury before Porto clash and will now miss FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City

  • Midfielder Kovacic suffered a hamstring injury in training on Monday 
  • The Chelsea boss was forced to start Kante despite doubts over his fitness
  • Blues completed a 2-1 aggregate victory over Porto in the Champions League


Chelsea were without the injured Mateo Kovacic who suffered a hamstring injury in training on Monday and will now miss Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City.

That forced Thomas Tuchel to start N’Golo Kante despite his doubts about whether the Frenchman could last the whole game, which he duly did.

Tuchel said: ‘It was a muscle injury, out of nothing, [for Kovacic] it was just a little exercise to get a sweat on and he felt his hamstring.

Injured Mateo Kovacic now miss Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City

‘I was sad for him because we don’t have many experienced players who have played so many Champions League games.

‘I felt sad for Mateo and we did it for him but N’Golo is an incredible player, he is like one and a half or two players. Everyone who sees him for the first time loves him and now my family love him when they watch our games now.

‘It is so nice to have him. He wins so many balls, gives everybody confidence and I’m the same.’

Thomas Tuchel had to change his plans for the Porto game following Kovacic's injury

Thomas Tuchel had to change his plans for the Porto game following Kovacic’s injury

Chelsea completed a 2-1 aggregate victory over Porto in the Champions League on Tuesday night.

The Blues will now face either Real Madrid or Liverpool in their first Champions League semi-final since 2014.

Chelsea always had the upper hand in Tuesday’s second leg, after last week’s 2-0 victory thanks to goals from Mason Mount and Ben Chilwell.

Porto snatched a goal in second-half added time but never truly threatened to turn the tie on its head.