Chelsea won their second Champions League title and denied Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City their first after Kai Havertz grabbed a first-half goal to secure a 1-0 win in Saturday’s all-English final at the Estadio Do Dragao. The German youngster; Chelsea’s record signing, kept his composure as he raced through and evaded goalkeeper Ederson before rolling the ball into an empty net in the 42nd minute to decide a tight encounter played in front of a 16,500 crowd. Premier League champions City were favourites ahead of the final but suffered a desperately disappointing night in their first Champions League showpiece match. Despite winning three of the last four Premier League titles for City; Spaniard Guardiola failed to deliver the coveted European trophy he last won with Barcelona in 2011.
UEFA Champions League Final – Manchester City vs Chelsea pic.twitter.com/7eoKESqwJX
— Muk (@CFC_Muk) May 28, 2021
For Chelsea’s German manager Thomas Tuchel the triumph comes after his Paris St Germain side suffered defeat in last season’s final against Bayern Munich and just four months after he took over from Frank Lampard at the west London club. “To share it with everybody is incredible. We made it. Wow. I don’t know what to feel;” said Tuchel. “He was so grateful to arrive a second time (in the final). I felt different. “They (players) were determined to win this. We wanted to be a stone in their (City’s) shoe. We encouraged everybody to step up and step out; to be braver,” he said.
Guardiola’s Team Selection:
While Tuchel got his approach spot on, Guardiola’s team selection was surprising with Raheem Sterling brought in on the left, neither regular holding midfielder, Fernandinho or Rodri, picked and Ilkay Gundogan left to protect the backline. It quickly became apparent the move had left City’s defence exposed with Chelsea creating early chances, three of which fell to German Timo Werner who failed to capitalise – miskicking one, shooting softly at Ederson and then finding the side-netting. Gundogan’s already difficult task got harder when he was booked for a foul on Mason Mount in the 34th minute. “Decisions are always to try to win the game,” said Guardiola, when asked to reflect on his team selection.
🏆 Chelsea have won the UEFA Champions League for a second time! 👏👏👏#UCL #UCLfinal pic.twitter.com/3ogfCK5C71
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) May 29, 2021
Ngolo Kanté has been incredible and instrumental in Chelsea’s #UCL triumph this season.
He’s won 3 Man of the Match Awards. He’s the mid field general. The best CDM in the Premier League
He deserves to win the Ballon d’Or Award for 2021. However the cartels will award it to Messi pic.twitter.com/4P31jmao6K— Chris Adede🇰🇪 (@CAdede) May 30, 2021
“The way we played the game in the second half, they had one counter-attack with Pulisic. They’re a really good team, but we competed perfectly against them. In the second half; we deserved to score one goal but we couldn’t do it.” “I would like to say it was an exceptional season for us. Unfortunately, we couldn’t win. We tried, but we couldn’t do it and will work harder from here,” added the Spaniard; whose side won the League Cup to go with their Premier League crown. Tuchel has faced City three times in six weeks and won every time. Chelsea’s Russian owner Roman Abramovich; watching from the stands, must have had a wry smile to himself as once again his ruthless approach to managerial changes has paid off.