Introduction
The stage is set, the atmosphere is coming alive – the dance of 22 to the tune of 1 ball is ready to be witnessed by millions. The UEFA champion’s league final is here! Manchester City and Chelsea have both bested their opponents with results that have deemed them more than worthy of playing the final every professional footballer wishes to play – The UEFA Champion’s League final! While this happens to be the first instance for the blue Manchester side, it will be the second time for the London blues as they famously beat Bayern Munich back in 2012 to win their first-ever UEFA champion’s league.
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The Road to the finals
Chelsea – London’s only UEFA Champion’s league boast:
Chelsea ended the group stages as toppers of group E with 14 points after their quota of 6 games, qualifying alongside Sevilla.
Their next challenge came up against the would-be winners of the Spanish top-flight – Atletico Madrid who have not had the best of form in the UEFA champion’s League knockout stages. A 1-0 win away and a 2-0 win back home ensured Chelsea’s safe passage through to the next stage of the UEFA champion’s league as the quarter-final pots were drawn. Up next were Portuguese giants Porto who had just edged out Cristiano Ronaldo’s Juventus en route to the final 8.
A 2-0 win away was sufficient for the boys in blue as the Portuguese team couldn’t see past the quarters despite winning the game away at Stamford Bridge 1-0. Away goals and the UEFA Champion’s league is a fate from which many teams have benefitted and lost, with contrasting emotions erupting on either side. Chelsea would now face their most difficult opponent yet as 13-time winners Real Madrid stood between Chelsea and the UEFA champion’s league final. 2 early goals at the alfredo di Stefano were all either team could manage with the advantage going Chelsea’s way in form of the away goal.
With chances being heavily missed at both ends in the away leg, it seemed as if the game was never going to even out a winner but goals from Werner and Mount sealed a 2-0 win that stamped over a pass of authority that will see them fight for European Glory tonight – Quite a journey for the Chelsea roster thus far in the UEFA champion’s league!
The First – Will Europe feel A blue Mancunian glory?
Manchester City has been the team to beat this season. Before an eyelid has time to blink – the team manages to somehow steal games and impose devastating destruction, leaving games decided and dead in the first half itself. The UEFA champion’s league this season has held Mancity as the favorites to win the competition. And their journey itself speaks volumes of why the odds cannot be doubted.
The Road to the finals : Ship of Manchester
Manchester City saw the group stages end as toppers of group “c” accumulating 16 points, qualifying alongside Porto. Their round of 16 opponents were German side Monchengladbach – the lesser known Borussia team, whom they conveniently put aside with 2-0 wins home and away, entering the quarter finals of the UEFA champion’s league with a 4-0 aggregate score line.
With one Borussia side down, Pep Guardiola’s side found themselves up against the greater Borussia as they took on Erling Haaland’s Dortmund and once again had similar scorelines both home and away see them qualify with a 4-2 aggregate.
The tougher challenge was yet to be played as PSG motivated by a loss in the finals last season were keen to put the Uefa champion’s league barren run behind them and brush aside city for a place in the final. That would be left unfulfilled as Manchester city saw themselves book a place in the UEFA champion’s league final following a 2-1 away and 2-0 home win to the heartbroken Parisians.
Expected Lineups
Manchester City have always favoured the 4-3-3 while Chelsea prefer to go for the 3 at the back formation in a 3-4-2-1.
For City – We expect to see a back four of Walker, Stones, Dias and Zinchenko with Ederson in goal;
Silva, Rodri and Gundogan making up the midfield as Mahrez, De Bruyne and Foden bear the forward line burdens.
For Chelsea – With Mendy fit, we expect him to be the starter in goal for the uefa champion’s league final with Reece James, Thiago Silva and Rudiger being the expected backline for the Londoners;
Chilwell, Kante, Jorginho and Skipper Azpilicueta would be favourites for the midfield as Pulisic, Mount and Werner would look to be the goal providers for Chelsea on Sunday.
Conclusion
This UEFA champion’s league final promises to be one that’s full of physicality, technicality, pace, and emotion as two of England’s late successful entrants will now look to win the title of “Champions of Europe” and stain the walls of football with their crest and name as the 2020/2021 Champions. For the Blues of London and Manchester, The Uefa Champion’s league final awaits! Pep Guardiola vs Thomas Tuchel – now that’s something no one wants to miss!
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Great work and creativity. Excited for the final.