CHAMPIONS OF EUROPE - UEFA
Chelsea beat Manchester City 1-0 in the UEFA Champions League final to complete a superb season. The Blues clinched their second Champions League title last night after recording an impressive victory over Manchester City in Portugal.
For the second time as Chelsea owner, Roman Abramovich got to watch his side claim the biggest prize in European football. The Russian flew into Porto for last night's Champions League final Manchester City, and likes Blues fans across the world, was a nervous spectator throughout.
Their campaign
An almost flawless group stage, founded on a solid defence and the record-breaking Edouard Mendy in goal, set Chelsea on their way. They were seldom threatened by Atlético in the round of 16, then saw off battling Porto before overcoming 13-time champions Real Madrid in the last four and much-touted Manchester City in the title match.
An almost flawless group stage, founded on a solid defence and the record-breaking Edouard Mendy in goal, set Chelsea on their way. They were seldom threatened by Atlético in the round of 16, then saw off battling Porto before overcoming 13-time champions Real Madrid in the last four and much-touted Manchester City in the title match.
Tactical approach
Chelsea approached this final as they had done every other game under Thomas Tuchel: by being hard to break down at the back and waiting for chances to come at the other end. And like in their victory over Madrid in the semis, they again displayed real mettle to halt Man. City.
Chelsea approached this final as they had done every other game under Thomas Tuchel: by being hard to break down at the back and waiting for chances to come at the other end. And like in their victory over Madrid in the semis, they again displayed real mettle to halt Man. City.
Key player
N'Golo Kanté may be 30 but his influence shows no sign of diminishing. He wins trophies, pure and simple, and his engine is just incredible. The midfielder covers every blade of grass, disrupts the opposition - ask Madrid's Modrić and Kroos - and hardly wastes a ball. Little wonder his trophy cabinet is bulging.
N'Golo Kanté may be 30 but his influence shows no sign of diminishing. He wins trophies, pure and simple, and his engine is just incredible. The midfielder covers every blade of grass, disrupts the opposition - ask Madrid's Modrić and Kroos - and hardly wastes a ball. Little wonder his trophy cabinet is bulging.
Who's in charge?
Leading Chelsea to their first item of silverware since 2019's UEFA Europa League, Tuchel has been a revelation since his January appointment, when he succeeded Frank Lampard.
Leading Chelsea to their first item of silverware since 2019's UEFA Europa League, Tuchel has been a revelation since his January appointment, when he succeeded Frank Lampard.
The contest was settled by Kai Haverzt's first-half goal and after the full time whistle was blown and the wild celebrations began on pitch, Abramovich left his seat and made his way down to tunnel. He would watch the Blues lift the trophy at the ground level. Kai Haverzt's will have free entry into any pub near Stamford Bridge for the rest of his life - but more than that he is a Chelsea Champions League winner.
So is N'Golo Kante, Mason Mount, Thiago Silva, Cesar Azpilicueta, Thomas Tuchel and the rest of them. It's their night - the deserve it, they outboxed a hard-edged Manchester City side and kept themselves with their hands on the wheel.
It brings the curtain down on a 2020-21 season like no other and it ends with Champions League trophy heading back to Stamford Bridge.
CONGRATULATIONS CHELSEA FC!
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