UCL FINAL PREVIEW: 2020/21

All too soon the end has come, Chelsea and Manchester have defied all odds and one of both is waiting to obtain full rights to the coveted European trophy. 

Here, at kobysportsupdate.blogspot.com Carl(@carlagyemangbb), Derrick(@tenyo_derrick) and Charles(@Prince_Chvrles) discuss the chances for either side. 

Carl makes a return from the semi final and is blue through and through. Derrick is a certified Citizen and Charles is a Manchester United fan - very much the neutral here. 

Let's follow on as we discuss the five talking points for our preview of the UCL finals tonight. 

The UCL finals? Happy with the progress of both teams?

Carl: I must say I am elated with the progress of my club, Chelsea. Chelsea has been shaky in other competitions but were always strong in CL, even under Lampard - that famous win against Sevilla away from home. 

After a change of manager, the success of Chelsea in the CL never dwindled: wins against ATM, Porto and Madrid. This will surely make me excited to see them in the final. For City, they have had all kinds records on their way to the final, and I am happy Pep is finally in another final considering the fact he couldn’t even do it with Bayern. This will mean everything to him.

Derrick: I am very happy for City's progress since it is their first and also for Chelsea because of the young guys in the team. I liked the comeback performances Pep pulled up in the quarter and semi finals which showed they won't back down when they're down.

Charles: I think both teams deserve to be in the finals. They faced tough teams and won convincingly. Chelsea beat the Spanish league champions and runners up as well and a team that came runners up to a very resilient Sporting side. Manchester City arguably had the easier route but you can only beat what's put before you and they did.

Manchester City here for the first time, 3rd time we have a maiden club in the finals in 3 consecutive years (Spurs, PSG, now City). Do you think City can make it after failed attempts from the previous two?

Carl: For the past two decades, I think it’s mostly a first time lesson in the final and on another attempt; the ultimate trophy to take home. Chelsea suffered it, Arsenal suffered it, PSG suffered the same fate. Spurs have been a victim. City can be a victim too but they can as well make history.

Derrick: It's been on my mind but this team has been through it all for the past few years and have been prepared for this moment. Whiles the odds are against us, Chelsea did it in 2012 against Bayern when everybody said they will be eliminated so City has a big chance to win it.

Charles: Deservingly so. Just like PSG the champions league trophy is the only trophy that has eluded the Mancunian club since its rise this past decade. They have worked to get here and it's a dream come true. They will be hoping to win with the first attempt. With all the superstitions going around this Chelsea team, one could argue a 3rd time lucky strike for a maiden finalist. That's if you believe in superstitions😅.

Discussing tactics? Key Action areas for both sides.

Carl: Chelsea have beaten Man City twice in the last three games, in all competitions, but it has been argued out that during those games City never had its strongest line up. Pep learns form a defeat, and I know he has learned around this.

In their last encounter KDB, Foden, Mahrez, Gundogän, Stones, Walker (wow! What a squad) were all missing in the line up. I am sure these players will be present in the starting line up this time around since they have all been the best in their respective positions on the field. Pep will unleash the magnificent KDB, the exciting-to-watch Foden, and the threatening Mahrez. These guys will make it difficult for Tuchel and his boys tonight.

For Chelsea, they have benefited from the brilliance of Havertz-Werner-Pulisic trio in the journey so far. Not playing with a typical no.9 has been helpful for Havertz and his teammates. This makes it difficult for the CB to know whom to even mark out. Their second strength has been Ngolo Kante who mostly steals the show on a good day. Undoubtedly, the most enviable and admired player, Ngolo Kante brings on board what no Blues midfielder can bring. I am sure Pep will devise a plan for him, because Madrid lost their games due to the effective movements of this never-tiring midfielder. 

The two goal keepers with the most clean sheets in this competition will definitely prove their importance to their teams.

Derrick: Chelsea under Tuchel have won their games in the first 45 mins so they need make their impact felt as soon as possible. City are a team that can strike at anytime.

Charles: Chelsea is a solid club tactically. Most people call Tuchel's team defensive but this team creates enough chances to win games. With 3.2 big chances created per game and 21% conversion rate which is higher than Man City's 20% in this season champion's league. However, in their last 5 games in all competitions they've scored a maximum of 2 goals in each game and have lost 3/5 despite conceding twice only once in 5 games. Chelsea creates enough chances to win and they just need their goal scorers to be firing because Pep's team will be watching previous games well determined to solve their issues of chance creation against this well drilled Chelsea side. Regardless this Chelsea side has proven twice this season they can beat Pep's City (3rd time lucky here too?)

Repeat or Revenge? 3rd time for Tuchel or Pep redeems himself?

Carl: To beat a coach three consecutive times, and for that matter a world-class coach in Pep, is a difficult hurdle. Pep won’t give in for a third ‘beating’. Tuchel wants to win the trophy he failed to win just a season ago. I see it to be Tuchel driving on the motivation for being there before, so it will go to him.

Derrick: Revenge. Last season Pep lost twice against Wolves and destroyed them this season. Pep will be going for the kill with his soldiers on this evening.

Charles: This is tough!!! Who wants to lose a final huh? Only two managers have ever done the 3 peat over Pep and that's a club Thomas Tuchel would be relishing to join. However, I think if Pep doesn't overthink his tactics as per, the revenge should be his. Notwithstanding Chelsea is a tough side to beat and we should see a tactical masterclass come tomorrow.

Predictions everyone, who wins? (Tough huh?)

Carl: Really tough, A slim win for Chelsea.

Derrick: I am going to stay bias. City to win it. 

Charles: Tough is an understatement😅😅 Chelsea lead the H2H with 70 wins compared to Man City's 59. In the battle of coaches, Pep leads Tuchel 4:2. Just like the 2 previous games this season, I expect this game to be a low scoring encounter. I think Pep edges it and I am going for a 2:1 City win.

Derrick looks like the man of few words here. Charles managed to stay neutral till his Mancunian blood took effect. Carl spelling out why his team deserve their second UCL trophy. 

The finals, is here. Prepared for it? Live reactions on Twitter during the game. @Ofori_KeV

UCL SEMIFINAL: 2nd LEG(2020/21)

THE ROAD TO ISTANBUL 2020/21.

The last round of games is upon us. The two slots in the finals get to be decided today. The road to the Ataturk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul will be properly marked out after these games. 

Carl Baffoe-Bonnie (@carlagyemangbb) and Kwabena Boateng (@kayboat5) join me as we breakdown the second leg of games. 

Follow them on Twitter to catch their thoughts during the games. 

Chelsea and Arsenal fans respectively. Both of them always on either side of the divide in the London derby. Read on to see if their thoughts stay so on Kobysportsupdate.blogspot.com. 

 

Is Chelsea's ability to not concede, a factor to winning this tie?

Carl: Staying tactically disciplined is the key to Chelsea’s success. The 3-5-2 or 3-4-3 is naturally a defensive formation requiring the wing backs to work extra. To me, this system is what is keeping the team winning. 

After their wins against ATM and Porto, Chelsea has sent a message to the CL giants that sometimes football is all about not conceding. 

Under Tuchel, Chelsea’s performance has been impressive considering the fact that, they could not even command a draw against the likes of Wolves and WestHam. 

Kwabena: Not to concede in a football game in itself is a big advantage. When you look at this Chelsea set up it is their best in a very long time. They barely give any opposition respect. It is something Tuchel has inducted in them. 

If you don’t concede then you have an upper hand so if Chelsea are going to win the champions league then it will be their biggest strength .

Manchester City has the advantage, do you think this is the one for Pep?

Carl: This is the time for Pep to get to the UCL finals after leaving Barcelona. I think he has done such a great job right from his at Bayern and now here at City. 

For City, they are on a record number of games without a defeat in CL season. Since the oil money investment came in, this is their first time they have an upper hand in semi final game, and they really deserve a final at least, after spending over a billion pounds to build the team. After series of domestic conquerings, they deserve an European trophy at least.

Kwabena: If Pep plays his cards well and is able to hold off Mbappe and Neymar like he did in the first leg that would be great. 

But how long can you contain them? For Mbappe he had a bad day last week so when he comes to the party this time round Pep and his players will have some questions to answer. 

That regardless, Manchester City are favorites now so let’s see what happens. 

The Finals?

Carl: Until last season, PSG couldn’t even cross the line of Quarter final. They will have to keep fighting in the coming seasons. 

Chelsea vs Man City 😊😊. (We can catch his bias)

Kwabena: Man City vs Chelsea. That’s the final.

Both pundits calling out an all English final and giving neither Paris SG or Real Madrid any slithering chance of making it through. This will be Pep Guardiola's first final since 2011 and Carl thinks he is on course to giving City a seat at the European table. 

See you in the final on the 29 May in Turkey. 

All Games 19:00 GMT