The last seven teams to make their #UCLfinal debut ALL lost - Valencia, Bayer Leverkusen, Monaco, Arsenal, Chelsea, Spurs, PSG, and now, Man City make it 8th. Chelsea are the Champions. This is the third time in 6 weeks that Thomas Tuchel would orchestrate the downfall of Pep's City. Tuchel has proved to be able to grind out results when and where it mattered. He banished the horrible final loss against Leicester City to take the bigger stage. What a moment for Chelsea fans.
The game was even set and you would expect an even contest. Both teams had their chances and a lot was said regarding Pep's formation where he left out Rodri and Fernandinho at the middle of the park. Ngolo Kante ran the show and you would have to salute the bravery of Thiago Silva before he came off and Rudiger. No one can be left out of Chelsea's squad for their bravery.
Guardiola's men were all bark and no bite as they dominated the possession but still couldn't break down Chelsea's resilient defence. I have always known this game would be down to a fine margin, a single moment and it panned out that same way. What a rejuvenated Chelsea we have under Tuchel. The second season is always the hardest and there is hope that this trophy win can spur them on to challenge for the title next season. Guardiola felt defeated and the wait for his first Champions League trophy is still on.
City still had a decent season with two cups in the bag but Aguero was hoping to get his hand on the trophy before leaving to Barcelona as rumoured. The tweaking Pep left him and Gabriel Jesus out to go with his no striker formation and with no proper holding midfielder, they were left exposed and Chelsea craftily exploited that to great effect.
His substitution should have come earlier too maybe at the break especially at a big game like this but City faltered where it mattered and you can never take anything away from Chelsea who defeated Real Madrid and worked so hard for such a moment as this.
It took a defence-splitting pass from Mason Mount to find Havertz who raced on goal by beating Ederson before slotting the ball into the empty net. It was that moment that Chelsea were waiting for and they got it. It was a lovely and carefully thought out plan by Tuchel. You need your players to turn up for the big occasions and Chelsea turned up.
Chelsea lifted the Champions League trophy and have now conquered Europe. It would be another wonderful journey for them next season with the Super Cup and Club World Cup. What a way to start the season next season. With the summer on the horizon, everyone would love to sign for Chelsea right now.
Congratulations to the Champions.
Thank you for your time.
My pen doesn't bleed, it speaks, with speed and ease.
Still me,
My tongue is like the pen of a ready writer.
Olawalium; (Love's chemical content, in human form). Take a dose today: doctor's order.
