The latest on Mateo Kovacic's hamstring injury
By Max Cooper
Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic is set to miss the Blues' FA Cup semi-final clash with Manchester City on Saturday, having suffered a hamstring injury prior to Tuesday's Champions League clash with Porto.
The Croatian star did not feature in the 1-0 defeat to the Portuguese outfit, but Thomas Tuchel's men still managed to progress to the semi-finals thanks to their 2-0 victory in the first leg.
But after the loss in Seville, Tuchel told Chelsea's official website that he'll have to make do without Kovacic for the FA Cup clash with Man City, while he was unable to give an expected date of recovery for the 26-year-old.
"Yesterday in training he got a muscle injury in his hamstring after 20 minutes, more or less out of nothing. He is for sure out for the game against Man City as well, which is a big loss," Tuchel remarked.
"I was very sad for him. We don’t have so many experienced players who have played Champions League many times. When the anthem plays he is relaxed and at the same time he is a hard fighter.
"Everybody is happy to have him around so we did it also for him today."
Kovacic has played a key role in Chelsea's midfield this season, and has stood out under Tuchel after his arrival as head coach in January. He has made 25 league appearances during 2020/21, and his blossoming relationship with N'Golo Kante in the middle of the pitch has been the catalyst behind the Blues' upturn in form.
Tuchel will be hopeful that Kovacic can make a swift recovery for the Premier League run-in, as Chelsea continue their hunt for a top-four spot. The west Londoners will also face one of Real Madrid or Liverpool in the Champions League semi-finals, in which their Croatian star will be desperate to play his part.