Thomas Tuchel learns his biggest Chelsea lesson yet

The Blues bounced back from a damaging defeat to put one foot in the Champions League semi-finals. Their manager will now hope he knows what they’re truly made of

Chelsea head coach Thomas Tuchel and defender Ben Chilwell (Chelsea Football Club)

It's a well worn sporting cliche but no less true for it. You really do learn a lot more from a defeat than any victory.

Chelsea have proved that this week, bouncing back from the first reverse of Thomas Tuchel's tenure at the weekend to secure what looks like being a vital 2-0 away win against Porto in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-finals on Wednesday evening.

The Blues conceded more than double the amount of goals in a 5-2 thrashing by West Brom as they had in all of the German's 14-game spell leading up to Saturday's match.

It was imperative then that Tuchel got a reaction from his players after such an abject display, especially given the importance attached to any European knockout tie.

He got it, England internationals Mason Mount and Ben Chilwell both scoring to give his side what appears to be at least one foot in the final four.

It is these responses to adversity that tell managers the most about their charges. Tuchel was delighted with what he got.

"We had a lot of excellent results together, then we had a loss together and then a reaction after a loss together. That brings us closer together and increases the trust," he said after the game.

"I was pretty sure (that his team would react). I saw a response immediately in the dressing room and the next day. That wasn't a big concern. We were ready to respond. There'll always be setbacks in sports. The biggest challenge is to bounce back."

Tuchel's reign thus far has been characterised by a stout defensive shape, but that all went out the window when Thiago Silva was dismissed for two bookable offences against the Baggies.

Right in the thick of a relegation fight, Sam Allardyce's lowly side weren't expected to pose much of a threat to high-flying Chelsea on home soil, but buoyed by their extra man they flooded forward and made them pay.

Matheus Pereira and Callum Robinson both grabbed braces as they first erased the initial 1-0 deficit before roaring clear in the second-half en route to a big win at the bottom of the table.

Faced with the team who knocked Cristiano Ronaldo’s Juventus out in the last 16, it was imperative the Blues recaptured their miserly defensive form in Seville.

"There were things to look at and learn from that mistake (Saturday's defeat) and for us we know it is important to defend well as a team and not concede a goal," said Jorginho, who played the key pass for Mount's opener on the night.

"Everyone worked very hard and we left everything on the pitch so the win was deserved by the whole team, including those who helped from the bench.

"Mason was in a good position, he turned the right way. I just saw some space and I gave him the right ball for him to control and score."

Ben Chilwell scored Chelsea’s second goal against Porto (Getty Images)

The result leaves Chelsea in the box seat heading into next week's second leg, which will also be played in Spain as a result of Uefa's ongoing coronavirus contingency planning.

It was by no means plain sailing, with the Portuguese side threatening at times, but it was a thoroughly professional performance leaving Tuchel pleased with his team's night's work.

"There were many moments where we suffered. We accepted it. The circumstances are a bit different in a quarter-final. The spirit was good and it was an excellent result," he added.

"We're very happy to go away with this result but it's only half time."

What started with a damaging loss could end being a pivotal week in this Chelsea season. From defeat to victory in a few short days. Once again we find that to learn how to succeed in sport sometimes you first have to learn how to lose.