What could have been a Manchester total domination of Europe 2021 became exactly the opposite. Manchester City squandered the best chance to secure their first Champions League Final win when they lost to Chelsea 2 - 1 last night. This is a major bummer to the City of Manchester when their Red neighbors also lost out on a spectacularly in the Europa League Final just 48 hours earlier.
Chelsea’s Kai Havertz repaid some of his huge transfer fee as his first-half goal sealed a 1-0 win for his side over Manchester City in the Champions League final on Saturday. The German youngster, Chelsea’s record signing, latched on to Mason Mount’s pass and evaded City keeper Ederson before rolling the ball into an empty net just 3 minutes before halftime.
Premier League champions City were favourites ahead of the final but suffered a desperately disappointing night in Estadio do Drago, Porto in what was their first Champions League final. Pep Guardiola’s side were never allowed to play their normal fluent game and could not respond as a disciplined Chelsea sealed the win.
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The narrative is quite a story to tell for Man City both the club and the manager. City’s first appearance in the final after so many European failures during their last decade-plus of relevance. Every dollar poured into the club, the ones well spent and wasted, have led to this moment. But that 90 minutes have been a torture to them as they could have lifted the Big Ears and claimed the glory.
Champions League is very familiar territory to Guardiola. Having won once as player and twice as a manager made him as one of the best Manager in Europe. He has a Cristiano Ronaldo-esque impact in his managerial career winning and dominating all the leagues he is in from La Liga, Bundesliga and Premier League. This final could have been his magnum opus but fate has other plan for him.
Thomas Tuchel on the other hand is on a winning streak. Taking PSG a back to back to back Ligue 1 champions in France, runners up in 2020 Champions League. Sacked by PSG, took over Chelsea from Frank Lampard and reached the promise land with Chelsea. His first Champions League and Chelsea’s second.
Chelsea has not been a force to be reckon with since they part ways with Jose Mourinho in his both stints at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea is not the club everybody wants to beat, a position currently held by Manchester City. Narrowly secured the top four finishing this season, Tuchel has an opportunity to defend the title next season. This also could be a revival for Chelsea. The win will give Tuchel free access to Roman Abramovich’s war chest and we have seen that happened before. The season have just officially ended and we just can’t wait for the new season to start.
England's Champions League Winners
6 - Liverpool
3 - Manchester United
2 - Chelsea
2 - Nottingham Forest
1 - Aston Villa
By Faiz Hakim
Photo: Champions League | Chelsea FC
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