⚽UEFA Champions League Discussion Thread -- 2021/22 winner - Real Madrid!

[tokeweed]

interesting. No Rodri or Fernandinho in the starting XI. Pep has used at least one of them in every match in the knockout stage. Is he expecting Chelsea to sit back and wait for a counter? it would explain why he's going for such an offensive lineup, have all the midfielders to build up plays while Zinchencko and/or Walker, fast players cos Werner is a rocket, stay in the back to form a 3-man defensive line

also, Sterling as a starter, what??    he may be the one that could break the chelsea's defensive lines with his pace since the fullbacks like Walker could have a completely defensive role in this match

I kinda expected that. Guardiola have been playing Fernandinho and Rodri mostly in PL lately. I think still Man City defence should be able to handle them. Tuchel is playing smart and utilizing his options properly. I can see Chilwell and James putting in deliveries from left and right, Mount and Havertz making plays but it all comes down to the forward as well -Werner who is having a tough time.

Sterling is a bit of a surprise actually  . He have been struggling but I think he could give Azpilicueta some trouble out there although Foden would have been much better choice. Still a bit surprising lineup from both as if both are playing mind games..

Sterling has more bite than Jesus imho.  I mean yeah he’s a natural winger but if I remember correctly he was played as a stiker from time to time when he was at Liverpool.  So he wouldn’t really feel lost in playing that role...  I think.  Lol.  We’ll see.  

[1714728090]

1714728090

[1714728090]

1714728090

[1714728090]

1714728090

[1714728090]

1714728090

[1714728090]

1714728090

[1714728090]

1714728090

[Harkorede]

interesting. No Rodri or Fernandinho in the starting XI. Pep has used at least one of them in every match in the knockout stage. Is he expecting Chelsea to sit back and wait for a counter? it would explain why he's going for such an offensive lineup, have all the midfielders to build up plays while Zinchencko and/or Walker, fast players cos Werner is a rocket, stay in the back to form a 3-man defensive line

also, Sterling as a starter, what??    he may be the one that could break the chelsea's defensive lines with his pace since the fullbacks like Walker could have a completely defensive role in this match

I kinda expected that. Guardiola have been playing Fernandinho and Rodri mostly in PL lately. I think still Man City defence should be able to handle them. Tuchel is playing smart and utilizing his options properly. I can see Chilwell and James putting in deliveries from left and right, Mount and Havertz making plays but it all comes down to the forward as well -Werner who is having a tough time.

Sterling is a bit of a surprise actually  . He have been struggling but I think he could give Azpilicueta some trouble out there although Foden would have been much better choice. Still a bit surprising lineup from both as if both are playing mind games..

I have no idea as what Guardiola's plans are, but Sterling in the starting lineup is the most surprising thing for me, Sterling start any during the Quarter and Semi Final, but here he is, perhaps, he's trying to engage Chelsea more on the flank here ?

That's probably what makes Guardiola more of a versatile coach, you just see a lineup some times and wonder what he could be up to / thinking ?

[DireWolfM14]

So many wanting this to be a close match, but I think City runs away with it.  Chelsea has been strong, but I don't think they can repeat their EPL upset.  City is such a polished team with unbelievable skill at each position.

I can't believe I'm saying this, but I since I have City to win here it goes: Go City!

Is the starting 11 out already?

Here's the line up according to google.  

[Igebotz]

<...>

I would really love to see Tuchel lifting the trophy but Guardiola is more experienced and he inculcates the spirit of the winner to his team.

No first timer has ever won the champions league so don't get too excited, this is Manchester City first champions final appearance and they are differently going to lose it. This is not how experienced the coach is but how well his team perform. Tuchel is highly tactical gifted..

This is final anything can happen though.... But Werner is my hero tonight.

[tyz]

<...>

I would really love to see Tuchel lifting the trophy but Guardiola is more experienced and he inculcates the spirit of the winner to his team.

No first timer has ever won the champions league so don't get too excited, this is Manchester City first champions final appearance and they are differently going to lose it. This is not how experienced the coach is but how well his team perform. Tuchel is highly tactical gifted..

This is final anything can happen though.... But Werner is my hero tonight.

Werner already missed a big chance. In the 10th minute there was a great cross from Harvertz and Werner missed from six meters. It must be said that the ball was not ideal, but that could have been the early 1 - 0 for Chelsea. Great luck for ManCity.

[DIA7]

<...>

I would really love to see Tuchel lifting the trophy but Guardiola is more experienced and he inculcates the spirit of the winner to his team.

No first timer has ever won the champions league so don't get too excited, this is Manchester City first champions final appearance and they are differently going to lose it. This is not how experienced the coach is but how well his team perform. Tuchel is highly tactical gifted..

This is final anything can happen though.... But Werner is my hero tonight.

Werner already missed a big chance. In the 10th minute there was a great cross from Harvertz and Werner missed from six meters. It must be said that the ball was not ideal, but that could have been the early 1 - 0 for Chelsea. Great luck for ManCity.

Pep wants to giveup the trophy with that lineup his midfield does not contain any player who has a defensive tendency playing Without Rodri or Fernandinho against a midfield that have Kante and Jorginho Guardiola is risking losing the midfield , if Tuchel exploits it by falling Kante and Mount behind the midfielders, Pep will hurt a lot.
The City problem was in the spaces behind the midfielders, and the power of the Blues at this particular point, Therefore, Pep will press all he has through the names present, but defensively there is a great reservation and if he does not Guardiola escapes from this adventure, and he will become the most philosophical coach in the fateful matches, and he lost them .
And if he wins, we will raise his hat for him.

[coinlocket$]

Chelsea advantage  , what if they will win  .

Happy to see so many people back in the stadium, it will be an assault in the second half for Manchester City.

Pep needs to change something.

[Oshosondy]

No first timer has ever won the champions league so don't get too excited, this is Manchester City first champions final appearance and they are differently going to lose it. This is not how experienced the coach is but how well his team perform. Tuchel is highly tactical gifted..

This is final anything can happen though.... But Werner is my hero tonight.

Kai Havertz has just scored for Chelsea in the 43rd minute, I have also said today that this is just the first time Man City are playing Champions League final, it will be more tough for them to win if compared to Chelsea that has been there before. Although Man City won the EPL League title, but the chance it has to win the Champions League is low, though this is just still the first half, anything may still happen, but I doubt if Chelsea will not win this match.

[Renampun]

The time is now.
I will happy if Chelsea will win but in the end, City will probably win by 2 goals.

They are stronger with a better coach and play better.

Anything can happen but it will be very hard for London's team.

me too, happy if Chelsea won the UCL this season...

In the last few meetings Chelsea who have always won, this time hopefully it will end like that too. the first half is over, hopefully, havertz can make one more goal for Chelsea in second half.

[bitzizzix]

Chelsea went 1-0 up in the 42nd minute from Havertz's shot which I think was the fault of City goalkeeper Ederson Mores for being too far from the net.
and both teams are very aggressive and are equally strong in the game especially in defense.
I don't understand Thiago Silva having to be replaced by Christensen in the 39th minute.

[Woodie]

Against all odds  Chelsea leads Manchester  city  by one goal with a few minutes to  go before half time and with this result it puts city  In a position they didn't want to be.

Time to go back to the drawing board and see what they can change to get back into the game.

This is going to be a long night or will it be dejavu.

[DIA7]

Against all odds  Chelsea leads Manchester  city  by one goal with a few minutes to  go before half time and with this result it puts city  In a position they didn't want to be.

Time to go back to the drawing board and see what they can change to get back into the game.

This is going to be a long night or will it be dejavu.

Chelsea deservedly excelled in pressure, key passes and confidence on the pitch and the most important point of consistency in the squad, so every player knew his role and what was required of him .
Manchester City lost his strength point throughout the season (defensive rigidity) and lost the midfield battle, disobedience and speed of transformation and was naturally late in this way .
Guardiola may achieve the title in the second half, but I certainly like many do not understand you and I am afraid of you when you think too much and invent,
What do you expect in the second half ??

[Igebotz]

No first timer has ever won the champions league so don't get too excited, <cut>

Kai Havertz has just scored for Chelsea in the 43rd minute, I have also said today that this is just the first time Man City are playing Champions League final, it will be more tough for them to win if compared to Chelsea that has been there before.

I've never gone wrong in my championship league prediction this season, Werner is yet to make it 2-nill in the second half so be expectant, I'm going for 2-0 inplay right now the odd is awesome. Up the chels!!!!

[ShowOff]

I like how both team played in the first half. Even though Chelsea took the lead by 1 goal in the 43rd minute it didn't seem to suggest that Manchester City were bad enough throughout the first half. So far their game has been quite even with a few missed chance. A bit of Manchester City's mistake has allowed them to concede a goal on the counter-attack.

I hope Manchester City can improve their game in the second half. My hope is that Sterling put more pressure on the Chelsea defender if he is given more minute by Pep before being substituted.

[Avirunes]

That's what you get for running too much brain. No holding midfielder nor a proper striker and there you have it.. 1-0 at half  time. Guardiola would be criticised so much if they lose today for how he chose the lineup. Still we have another half to see and hopefully he will change some things, it is really not working as we can see.

[arallmuus]

Kai Havertz has just scored for Chelsea in the 43rd minute, I have also said today that this is just the first time Man City are playing Champions League final, it will be more tough for them to win if compared to Chelsea that has been there before.

It has nothing to do with that weird superstitious. Chelsea was better in the counterattack hence they scored but there is another 45 minutes so things could have changed in the 2nd half. Dang it was only few minutes before I win my bets and Chelsea had to ruin it

Anyway the highlight was the assist though, it was an insane assist

Edit : I dont want to jinx this but most of the time in EPL, Chelsea win the game after they scored 1 goal and defend all the way through the entire game relying mostly on counterattack.

Edit 2: It looks like De Bruyne was injured and got taken out.

[snipie]

Against all odds  Chelsea leads Manchester  city  by one goal with a few minutes to  go before half time and with this result it puts city  In a position they didn't want to be.

Well against all odds, I placed right now two bets:
- BTTS @1.5
- City or draw @2
and damn it if City fate will be like ManU. Today (until now) is a sad day in Manchester, seeing both teams eliminated in final games.
I still think that City will win, go Guardiola, Mehrez, De Bruyne et al. and do something!

[tyz]

I still think that City will win, go Guardiola, Mehrez, De Bruyne et al. and do something!

Nothing speaks for a win for ManCity at the moment. Chelsea is clearly playing better and Tuchel's tactics are visibly working. ManCity can hardly get anything together in attack. ManCity still has 25 minutes to come up with something. But once again it shows that Guardiola has only worked in Barca so far when it comes to international cups.

[BitcoinHunt3r]

I like how both team played in the first half. Even though Chelsea took the lead by 1 goal in the 43rd minute it didn't seem to suggest that Manchester City were bad enough throughout the first half. So far their game has been quite even with a few missed chance. A bit of Manchester City's mistake has allowed them to concede a goal on the counter-attack.

I hope Manchester City can improve their game in the second half. My hope is that Sterling put more pressure on the Chelsea defender if he is given more minute by Pep before being substituted.

I don't see Man City as usual too many opportunities are lost   I don't know if it was due to bad luck or the Chelsea defender who was too strong
Now Man City only has 15 minutes to equalize the score if nothing changes maybe Chelsea takes the trophy.

[DireWolfM14]

I don't see Man City as usual too many opportunities are lost   I don't know if it was due to bad luck or the Chelsea defender who was too strong
Now Man City only has 15 minutes to equalize the score if nothing changes maybe Chelsea takes the trophy.

Chelsea is inspired like I've never seen them before.  I'm surprised, but what's more surprising is that City looks surprised, lol.  Now with De Bruyne out, it's not likely to get any better for City.