#MCICHE : PEP'S BLUNDER IN THE FINAL

In this article we will take a look at Chelsea’s 1-0 victory over Manchester City in the final of UEFA Champions League 2020-21 season. A late first half goal from Havertz, which was his first ever goal in this competition was enough for Chelsea to defeat Pep Guardiola’s City and lift the coveted Champions League title for second time in their history, first one coming in the year 2012.

For Tuchel this was his redemption for losing last year’s final but for City though this was one of the poorest performance of this season as they managed to get only 1 shot (total 7 shots taken) on target in the entire 97 minutes. The xG 0.56-1.36 (by Infogol.net) shows that City were not great moving forward and did not create any good scoring chances. Pep and Manchester City would have to wait another year to get their hands on this trophy.

CHELSEA'S LINEUPS & TACTICS

LINEUPS

Chelsea went with a 3-4-2-1 formation which for most of the part was 5-4-1. Mendy in goal having Thiago Silva, Azpilicueta and Rudiger in front of him forming a close back three. Tuchel choose two attacking full backs in James and Chilwell in order to counter attack City. Jorginho started in the midfield instead of Kovacic who just returned from his calf injury with Kante. Mount, Havertz and Werner were the attacking for Chelsea.

CHELSEA’S BRILLIANT COUNTERATTACK

Chelsea’s 3-4-2-1 formation did not work against Leicester in the FA Cup but with City controlling possession here and pressing up high with heavy numbers this played right into their hands. This formation also assured that Chelsea had those options open when playing from the back. But with City players pressing in numbers it was difficult for Chelsea midfielders to get any space even in their own half. So they usually played back passes to their centre backs who had lot of time to play long balls.

For most of the first half Chelsea defenders played those long balls over the commited City players. With Chilwell moving forward Chelsea had 4v3 advantage deep in City’s half after a successful long pass. City’s lack of defensive midfielder meant that they only had 3 players near the circle it became easier for Werner to just run in between defenders causing problems to already outnumbered City defence. This also meant that once Chelsea broke through City’s press their players like Mount and Havertz had lots of time and space available to them.

Werner’s off the ball movement and his ability to recognise the run he needs to make in certain direction, so he can pull opposition players in to creates easy pockets of spaces for Kante, Mount or Havertz in this match for the goal makes him an valuable asset to have and this was seen in the first half as he disruptwd City’s defence by running in between Dias and Stones getting both of their attention and leaving space for Havertz to run into. Even though he might not be good in scoring his such small contributions are what keeping him in the squad.

CHELSEA’S DEFENSIVE WALL

Chelsea’s formation without possession often resembled a 5-4-1 formation with players sticking close to their markers but not going far enough from their respected position to give away free spaces. With a lack of a proper striker it become easy for Chelsea to defend but harder for City to penetrate and City’s lethargic and slow approach meant that Chelsea defenders could read what was going on and reacted quickly to any threat.

City had some good luck on the left side of the pitch with Sterling and Zinchenko but the quickness and awareness of Reece James thwarted any dangers coming from that side. Sure Sterling got few over his country mate, but the full back man marked him out of the game. Same can be said of Kante as well, his presence in the midfield was too much for the likes of De Bruyne and Gundogan.

WHAT CHELSEA COULD HAVE DONE BETTER?

Although there is not much to complain about Chelsea’s performance there is one thing they look is their lack of creativity in this game. For majority of the part they had over 45% of a possession (they ended with 40% after full time) but had just 2 shots on target. If their plan was to just hold the ball and move it around to tire City players then they succeeded in it, but in certain scenarios they could have moved the ball with more purpose and probably would have killed the game early by scoring a second. Other than that it was a complete Chelsea performance.

MANCHESTER CITY LINEUP & TACTICS

LINEUP

On paper City lined up a 4-3-1-2 formation which changed into 3-2-5 or even 3-1-3-3 at times. Ederson started on goal with Walker, Zinchenko, Dias and Stones in front him. Notable absence of Fernandinho meant that Bernardo Silva was called back into the playing XI along side Foden and Gundogan with the later playing as deep midfielder in place of Fernandinho. De Bruyne started as CAM playing behind the duo of Sterling and Mahrez.

LACKLUSTRE CITY ATTACK

City’s 4-3-1-2 formation changed into 3-2-5 when comfortable in position. Sterling and Mahrez sticked around the sidelines only entering half spaces if they are in possession with the ball. De Bryune and Foden were staying central, constantly switching their position with each other. Zinchenko pushed forward from the left side but with a lack of defensive mid Walker was told to say behind and form a 3 man back line. This proved helpful for Sterling as he got help from Zinchenko moving forward but Mahrez was left isolated on right side and did not get into much of the actiom in the first half.

Even with such numbers ahead for City they were not able to get past Chelsea’s defence and constantly lost the ball around the 18 yard box and without the lack of good movement around the box overcrowded the area with players and City players did not find any spaces to work with. Gundogan who is a potent scorer and scored around 12-13 goals in the run that City had where they won 21 consecutive matches did not make those late runs in fear of getting counter attacked. Pep fielded 4 creative players but the team lacked a striker or a runner who could run behind the high back line of Chelsea’s defence to just disorient it.

WHAT CITY COULD HAVE DONE BETTER?

Everyone by now knows that Pep should have gone for a defensive midfield and I 100% totally agree with it. Fernandinho should have been introduced from the start which could have negated the threat from Havertz and Werner. This would have also given cover to Gundogan who could have made those late runs into the box. Another player benefited from this would have been Mahrez would have got help from Walker moving forwards into those half spaces on right side.

If Pep was still determined to play this starting XI he could have just told Sterling to play through the middle and Foden could have played on the left. This would not have helped much but atleast in this way City have a speedster in Sterling who could have exploited Chelsea’s high back line by making runs in between centre backs.

PYTHAGORAS PERSPECTIVE

Although I would not say Tuchel completely outsmarted Pep tactically but his plan was far better than Pep’s and the omission of Fernandinho and Rodri proved it right. For Chelsea though this is a great win and given the squad of players that they have, they could mount a serious challenge for Premier League title next season without even breaking a penny in transfer window. Players like Havertz, Werner and Kante who looked hapless for Lampard are now shining under Tuchel and Mount who everyone saw as managers pet is now becoming one of a key players for Chelsea.

The great tactician strikes again for City as Pep’s habit of tinkering with his plan, which was working so well for the whole season and even won them Premier League by a comfortable margin comes to bite him back in the final. There are a lot of ifs to talk about after the full time and we don’t know if Fernandinho or Rodri played from start City would have won the game. But one thing is for certain, you should not change your winning formula in a knockout stage.

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