This season’s Champion’s League final is an all English affair, the second in three seasons and third overall. Manchester City lock horns with rivals Chelsea to complete the treble in what has been a wonderful season. The two English teams have already faced each other thrice, in the league and in the FA Cup semi-final.
City were on course for a quadruple before Chelsea beat them in the FA Cup. Three weeks later, City could have secured the league title by beating Chelsea, but a stoppage time winner from Marcos Alonso stole the win for the Blues. And on Saturday, Chelsea could deny Pep Guardiola what he craves the most – the Champion’s League.
Between the two teams, pressure is more on Man City to win. Their Champion’s League campaigns of the past few seasons have ended rather prematurely. So having finally made it to the final, the expectation will be to win it. As for Chelsea, neither at the start of the season, nor when Thomas Tuchel took over, were the expectations this high in Europe. They have pretty much exceeded expectations to get this far. Having said that, it is the Champion’s League, and everyone, not least Roman Abramovich, wants to win it.
This is Man City’s first ever European Cup/Champion’s League final. Perhaps more surprisingly, this is Guardiola’s first Champion’s League final since he won it in 2011.
Chelsea have slightly better history in the competition. They famously won it back in 2012, defying all odds to lift the trophy in Bayern’s own backyard. Chelsea also lost the 2008 final to Man United, which was the first to feature two English sides. Thomas Tuchel fell at the final hurdle to ironically Bayern Munich last season, and he will want to go one step further this time.
Team News
Both Man City and Chelsea have fully fit squads to choose from. Chelsea had fears over Edouard Mendy and N’Golo Kante but both trained this week and are included in the matchday squad. This means we could see both managers fielding their best XI’s.
Form
Man City: WLWLW
Chelsea: WLLWL
Prediction
Man City should be favorites. They are the Premier League champions, and probably the best team in Europe. Chelsea have beaten City twice recently, but it counts for nothing. The Blues will be underdogs, as was the case in their two previous finals. However, they have reached the final on their merit, claiming impressive wins over Atletico and Real Madrid. Whichever way you look at it though, it is hard to look past a refreshed, fully fit and a hungry Man City squad chasing history.
Score: Man City 2-0 Chelsea