Chelsea Face-off with Man City in UEFA Champions League final

 Why Manchester City Can Win The Cup This Season

England’s champions have the bit between their teeth in Europe this season. Their attacking brilliance is long-established, but they’ve added greater defensive solidity, with only four goals conceded in their 12 games played so far. If overcoming their quarter-final hoodoo was a boost to their self-belief, the manner of their semi-final triumph against Paris has surely banished any doubts about City’s ability to go all the way.

Man City Campaigns so far

The most telling point about City’s group-stage campaign was that it ended with the competition’s best defensive record, with just one goal shipped following Rúben Dias’ arrival to join a revitalized John Stones in central defense. After winning Group C, they posted home and away wins against both Gladbach and Dortmund, before sealing their place in the final with two magnificent victories over 2020 finalists Paris.

Man City tactics

Josep Guardiola has used a false-nine system to great effect this season, with Riyad Mahrez, Phil Foden, Bernardo Silva, Kevin De Bruyne, and even Ilkay Gündoğan all taking turns as the spearhead of City’s attack. Having suffocated opponents thus far with their relentless pressing and clockwork passing, the Citizens are unlikely to change their approach in Istanbul. As Guardiola said: “We are used to playing a certain way. We cannot do it differently.”

Focus player

Man city has an embarrassment of riches but De Bruyne remains their creator-in-chief. His elegance, vision, and immaculate passing range – not to mention his driving runs and spectacular finishing – make him one of the most enjoyable players to watch in world football.

Manager's Corner?

In 12 seasons as a first-team boss, Guardiola has lifted nine league titles, but the last of his two managerial UEFA Champions League winners' medals came in 2011. Now he has his sights set on becoming just the sixth coach to win the European Cup with two different clubs.

Why Chelsea can win 

Still beaten only three times since Thomas Tuchel took charge, Chelsea really is starting to gel under their German coach. If the front players can continue their progress of the past few months, there is nothing – and no one – for Chelsea to fear. They changed manager mid-season when they won this trophy in 2012 so who's to say lightning won't strike twice? Their recent wins against City give them further reason to believe.

Chelsea Season so far

An almost flawless group stage, founded on a solid defense and the record-breaking Edouard Mendy in goal, set Chelsea on their way. They were seldom threatened by the much-vaunted Atlético in the round of 16, then saw off battling Porto before overcoming 13-time champions Real Madrid in the last four.

Chelsea tactics

Chelsea will approach the final as they have done every other game under Tuchel: by being hard to break down at the back and waiting for chances to come at the other end. The city will be favourites, but Tuchel has already beaten them twice in recent weeks – the FA Cup semi and the Premier League encounter in Manchester – and he will treat this the same way. The manner of their victory against Madrid shows their mettle, that’s for sure.

Focus player

N’Golo Kanté maybe 30 now, but his influence is showing 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 – just ask Luka Modrić and Toni Kroos – and seldom wastes the ball. It’s no wonder his trophy cabinet is bulging.

Manager's Corner

The first man to lead two different clubs to successive UEFA Champions League finals, Tuchel has been a revelation since his January appointment. He won back-to-back titles in France with Paris and reached the final last season, having had success in Germany with Dortmund prior to that.