Mauricio Pochettino has claimed the flat atmosphere at Stamford Bridge is because of Chelsea’s dreadful home form last season. Although Chelsea are unbeaten in eight home games before hosting the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final against ­Middlesbrough on Tuesday night, the mood around the ground has been drab for much of the campaign. The crowd has grown tense whenever ­Pochettino’s side, who trail Boro 1-0, have struggled to break down ­stubborn opponents. Pochettino’s view is the ­apparent lack of connection between players and supporters is a ­hangover from the difficulties of last season and ­predates his appointment as head coach last summer. His case was strengthened by Chelsea’s record after replacing Thomas Tuchel with Graham Potter in September 2022. They won only seven more home games before the end of a campaign that finished with Frank Lampard in temporary charge. “We are paying now the effect of 18 months,” Pochettino said. “We have been here for six months and ­sometimes for us it is difficult to ­compare. We are getting better results now. But the disappointment for the fans is from last season. It is a disappointment for a long period. But in how we feel, Stamford Bridge is very good. “In a few periods in some games, like Brentford or Nottingham Forest, the energy was really down because the team didn’t engage the fans. That is our mistake. But in the rest of the games – Arsenal, Man City, Brighton, Liverpool – I think the fans were really good. “If tomorrow we play well from the beginning and show the right ­attitude the fans are going to be behind us. We have very good fans. They want to win because the history of Chelsea is to win. We feel so ­disappointed from last season because if you lose so many games at home it is normal the energy is down.” Victory against Boro, 11th in the Championship, would take Chelsea to their first final since the Todd ­Boehly‑Clearlake Capital ­takeover. “Our fans are going to be really ­motivated to help the team to reach the final,” Pochettino said. “The team need to translate the good energy for the fans to be motivated. We need to send the first signal that we care, that we want to go to the final.” Chelsea’s travelling fans reacted furiously after only some players applauded them at the end of the first leg two weeks ago. Pochettino said: “We need to apolo­gise to our fans. I can understand the players and also the fans. The players were so disappointed. So upset that you don’t want to think too much and you want to go into the dressing room and go home because you are really angry. But we need to recognise the effort of our fans.” Christopher Nkunku remains unavailable with the hip injury that has kept the forward out since 30 December. The right-back Malo Gusto is out with a muscle problem. Ben Chilwell could come in at left-back.