UCL: How Tuchel outsmarted Guardiola for the trophy

May 29, 2021, Uefa Champions League final between English Premier League leaders, Manchester City, and fourth-placed Chelsea remained the talk of town among the soccer fans.

The battle, which was shifted to Estadio Do Dragao Stadium in Portugal, had attracted discourse; with pundits making predictions and factoring in the squad members and the tactics of coaches.

Manchester City presented a side with flair, goal-racking talent, mean defence and a well-oil midfield not to mention a manager who had not lost a final before. Going into the game, Pep Guardiola was to play his third Uefa Champions League final having won the two previous ones with Barcelona- all against Manchester United.

Chelsea on the other hand presented a side with talent, young squad with mean defence and loads of chances and ironically fewer goals. But having beaten Man City in two previous games, FA Cup semi-final and a league game; some fans could dare dream of Chelsea triumph, but it took courage. In Thomas Tuchel, Chelsea came with a manager who had lost a recent final and was maybe determined to make things right.

The game

 Pep Guariola went with his usual 4-3-3 formation. His squad comprised Ederson, Kyle Walker, Ruben Dias, John Stones, Zinchenko, Gundogan, Phil Foden, Benardo Silva, Raheem Sterling, Kevin DeBruyne and Riyad Mahrez.

Chelsea’s squad lined up in a 3-4-3 formation majorly used by Tuchel. It included Eduard Mendy, Antonio Rudiger, Thiago Silva (who was substituted by Andreas Christensen), Caeser Azpilicueta, Reece James, Jogninho, Ngolo Kante, Ben Chilwell, Mason Mount, Timo Werner and Kai Havertz.

While being interviewed by former Manchester United defender, Rio Ferdinand, Pep Guardiola had explained Chelsea tactics especially on how Tuchel uses three centre backs to press the opponents’ midfield by cutting passing lanes and wing backs to stretch the opponent.

And when Man City started the game, KDB, who played as false nine dropped into midfield as Mahrez and Sterling occupied wide spaces to keep Chilwell and James busy. This was to allow Zincheko and Gundogan to drop in midfield to track Kante and Jorgino.

However, Chelsea never changed the approach. Tuchel insisted on playing from the back despite Man City’s press. With Mount dropping into midfield off the ball, Man City was outnumbered in the centre of the pack. An unmatched energy by Kante resigned Guardiola’s men to failure being that they played with no defensive midfielder. Havertz dropped infield creating space for Timo Werner’s run and making Dias and Stones even more vulnerable. With Man City’s high-line, Chelsea could only play three passes and they arrive in Man City’s box.

For example, Chelsea’s goal came from a pass by Mendy to Chilwell, who teed up Mount and the English man put Havertz on target.

With Chilwell and James dropping for clearances, Man City having no tall players to win aerial duels in Chelsea’s box; defending was made easier for Tuchel.

Chelsea won their second Uefa Champions League crown after having lifted it in 2012.