Chelsea won the Champions League for the second time with a fully deserved victory over Manchester City in an all-Premier League confrontation in Porto.
Guardiola surprisingly decided against utilising either Rodri or Fernandinho as a defensive midfielder, leaving City with a muddled game plan that reduced their effectiveness and rarely presented Chelsea with any problems.
Chelsea then created two guilt-edged chances within the space of four minutes – both fluffed by Timo Werner – and were fortunate not to fall at least a goal behind.
Watch video Manchester City vs Chelsea 0-1 – All Goals and Highlights
Then, given a glimpse of a gap, Kevin De Bruyne played in Phil Foden who just had Edouard Mendy to beat but Antonio Rudiger saved his side with a fine last-ditch tackle.
Guardiola surprisingly decided against utilising either Rodri or Fernandinho as a defensive midfielder, leaving City with a muddled game plan that reduced their effectiveness and rarely presented Chelsea with any problems.
Chelsea are the third English side to win the Champions League on two occasions, after Liverpool (2004-05 and 2018-19) and Manchester United (1998-99 and 2007-08).
Whether it was the occasion that was getting to the players or Chelsea’s high press and defensive formation that was the issue was hard t tell – but it wasn’t the usual easy-on-the-eye City style.
Chelsea have lifted the trophy in six of their seven major European finals in their history – with this their fourth European success in the Roman Abramovich era alone (Champions League in 2020-21 and 2011-12, Europa League in 2012-13 and 2018-19).
