The Union of European Football Association’s (UEFA) Champions League––an annual soccer tournament contested by top European clubs––may have started late this year due to the pandemic, but it has brought entertainment and thrills that the tournament promises each season. While many fans expected reigning champions FC Bayern Munich to win back-to-back titles, it will be an all-English affair in the Champions League final this season with head managers Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea FC and Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City. Both clubs are arguably two of the most in-form teams in Europe, and soccer fans are in for a treat.
The Campaign So Far
Chelsea’s run to the Champions League final was not an easy one. Despite a top finish in the group stage, former manager Frank Lampard struggled to deliver match wins in the Premier League; the Chelsea veteran was ultimately sacked and replaced by Tuchel––the coach who recently led Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) to their first Champions League final. Under the tutelage of Tuchel, Chelsea underwent an incredible turnaround, leading the Blues to the FA Cup Final and securing a top-four Premier League finish. Tuchel revamped the attacking formation by bringing the best out of newcomers Timo Werner, Kai Havertz, and Hakim Ziyech, allowing for more goal-scoring opportunities and threatening counter-attacks. Against much-vaunted Atlético Madrid and Portuguese powerhouse FC Porto in the Round of 16 and Quarter-final, respectively, Chelsea dominated the mid-field with a 3-4-3 formation and netted goals in critical moments to ensure a spot in the final. Chelsea’s performance against 13-time European champion Real Madrid was second to none. Despite wasting multiple chances in the second half, Real Madrid was eventually euthanized out of the tie when Chelsea Player of the Year Mason Mount sniped the ball into the right corner with five minutes to play. In just three months, Tuchel has single-handedly resurrected the season and fostered a winning culture at Stamford Bridge.
Guardiola led his team to another spectacular season: City claimed their fifth Premier League title and neatly tucked the domestic Carabao Cup title under their belt. Though City struggled at the start of the season with a 2-0 defeat against the Tottenham Hotspurs and a heavy 5-2 loss against Leicester City, Guardiola’s side utilized the team’s embarrassment of attacking riches and found their rhythm by revamping the backline with Rúben Dias, Aymeric Laporte, and John Stones. In the Champions League semi-final against Pochettino’s PSG, Dias and Stones showcased a defensive masterclass, consistently denying PSG superstars Neymar and Ángel Di María. With both of PSG’s vital strikers man-marked throughout the game, the French side struggled to adapt and failed to advance in the competition. Dias and Stones were also key players in City’s battle against Borussia Dortmund and Borussia Mönchengladbach: the incredible duo formed an imperious partnership––often being compared to defending greats Nemanja Vidić and Rio Ferdinand.
Player Spotlights: N’Golo Kante & Kevin De Bruyne
Frenchman N’Golo Kante made the move to Chelsea in 2016 and has become a mainstay for Tuchel’s side. The France World Cup winner prevented the white-shirted specter from rising once again as European Champions with his outstanding work ethic, penetrative off-the-ball runs, and accurate crosses to the wingers. The experienced 30-year-old has also made an immense impact on teammate Mateo Kovačić, who has been a reborn player this year after a series of unsuccessful seasons in the past. Kante’s spectacular footwork combined with Kovačić’s pace and aerial dominance has perfected Tuchel’s midfield. This youthful Chelsea squad moves with unmatched momentum, and Kante has been the stabilizing force at the center of it.
At the heart of City’s well-oiled machine this season lies midfielder Kevin De Bruyne. With injuries keeping him out of recent matches, some critics have argued that integrating Bernado Silva’s versatility and conservative approach may be more effective than De Bruyne’s direct yet riskier style. Nonetheless, when De Bruyne plays like he did against PSG, there is absolutely no debate as to who should start in the final. From the goal scored with majestic precision to the nonchalance of through-balls onto the boot of Phil Foden to the immaculate long balls during counters, De Bruyne exhibited all the reasons Tuchel’s Chelsea should worry about him. The Belgian midfielder will be essential for Guardiola’s side as they aim to clinch their first Champions League title.
Though I am a Chelsea fan myself, I accept that City are the favorites to win in Porto when considering their exceptional form in recent matches. Yet, both sides have more than enough potential to lift the trophy at the Estádio do Dragão stadium. Tuchel has marked himself out as a specialist against other talented managers, but Chelsea will have to bounce back after their FA Cup final defeat and subsequent League loss to Aston Villa. Like any other Champions League final, this year’s game will be filled with emotions, world-class skills, and both teams fighting until the very end. For now, I’m going with Manchester City 2, Chelsea 1.
Comentários