Chelsea managed to win the Champions League final 1-0 against Manchester City earlier tonight, and Kai Havertz scored the only goal of the game in the first half.
Pep Guardiola’s side were undoubtedly the better team heading into the contest, and they will be bitterly disappointed to have failed to win the premier European competition once again.
N’Golo Kante made all the difference
The Chelsea midfielder put in another remarkable display in a big game, and he managed to suffocate the Manchester City midfield throughout the game.
His ability to read the play and mark players like Kevin de Bruyne out of the game helped Chelsea win the trophy tonight.
Kante was the man of the match in both legs of the semi-finals, and he was undoubtedly the best player on the pitch tonight as well.
Overthinking Pep Guardiola failed once again in Champions League
The Spaniard continues to fail to win the major European trophy despite spending billions of pounds with multiple elite clubs across Europe.
Guardiola has been heavily backed by Manchester City in the transfer market in their pursuit of European glory, but he has failed to deliver yet again. His teams have built up a reputation of choking up in the end.
Thomas Tuchel revived Chelsea and used his resources excellently
Before Tuchel came, there were lots of talk about their leaky defence. But putting three centre-back in defence and revival of Rudiger fortune in Chelsea changed everything.
The German kept it very simple and motivated the young Chelsea players to give 100% on the field. His direct management disciplined Chelsea to perform as a unit.
Fernandinho and Aguero started on bench
The decision to start with the two players on the bench has certainly backfired for Manchester City, and it remains baffling why Pep Guardiola chose to have two of Manchester City’s most decorated players as substitutes.
The Premier League side needed Fernandinho’s defensive qualities and the big game presence of Aguero tonight.
Fernandinho’s absence caused an imbalance in the Manchester City side, and players like Kevin De Bruyne struggled to dominate the midfield because of the lack of defensive cover.
Insecure and Confused Forward line did not help Manchester City
Apart from Phil Foden, almost everyone is either new or moving out this summer or linked with the transfer market this summer. Ferran Torres is comparatively new and yet to get a foothold; Foden is young and needs partnership or guidance from experienced partners.
Raheem Sterling and even Riyad Mahrez are linked with summer clearance. Sergio Aguero, arguably the best centre-forward of the last decade, is moving out.
Kevin de Bruyne Injury
Kevin de Bruyne was forced out of the proceeding at an important phase of the match after he had a clash with Anthony Rudiger. Manchester City was down by a goal, and City had 30 minutes to restore parity on the scoreboard.
Without de Bruyne, City did not look creative enough to break through the solid Chelsea defence.
Timo Werner kept Manchester City defence on toe
Despite missing an easy chance early on in the game and failing to get on the score sheet, the German managed to harass the Manchester City defence with his darting runs and clever movement.
He kept stretching the opposition back four with his pace and movement, and it helped open up spaces for players like Kai Havertz.
