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Chelsea showed their spirit and potential despite heartbreaking Champions League exit to Real Madrid

MADRID -- There is no preferred way to surrender your Champions League crown, but nothing could come much closer than this.

Asked on the eve of Tuesday's game how champions bow out of a competition if it has to be their time, Chelsea head coach Thomas Tuchel replied: "By not accepting it before it ends. By leaving everything on the pitch that we have and by showing we can work harder, play better, that we know we can take more risks and that we show our true face and live up to our full potential."

They did just that.