They normally say "Keep it simple stupid!" and while Josep 'Pep' Guardiola is one of the best managers in the world, he lost out to a cool, calm and collective Thomas Tuchel...again.
Why may you ask? When debaters are saying he is one of the best, somehow he has the better team comprising the better players and still lost in the UEFA Champions League 2021 final against Tuchel's Chelsea. The final took place in Porto with over 16,000 Manchester City and Chelsea fans, amidst the COVID-19 protocols.
Analysts believe that Tuchel is a better tactician and more composed when it involves bringing his team of "ok" players, with a few stars such as Mason Mount, Antonio Rudiger, Thiago Silva and N'Golo Kante just to name a few, to capture a valued silverware.
This was Chelsea's second Champions League victory after they won in 2012 against Bayern Munich with coach Di Matteo. But this year's silverware was the first for them being led by Thomas Tuchel. A feat it was for Tuchel to win three consecutive matches - the FA Cup semi-final, Premier League and now this Champions League match - against one of the best managers.
What happened during the match that Guardiola, not losing any matches leading up to the Champions League final, ended up losing to a team that people would see as their "inferior"?
Pep decided to use a starting lineup he trusted would win the game, which excluded Fernandinho, Gabriel Jesus and Aguero. Instead, he opted for Raheem Sterling, Foden, Mahrez and Gundogan - who limped off the training pitch mere hours before the match after a collision with Fernandinho.
"The team should play the way they like...football is not just tactic, but emotions and relations between the lads", said Pep in an interview. Supporters and analysts alike were surprised to see Sterling starting, knowing he was not in form and only started a few matches leading up to this final.
James overpowered Sterling during the entire match and after Havertz's goal in the 42nd minute, neither Manchester City nor Chelsea managed to land a single shot on target, for the rest of the match.
Pep had to regroup in the second half with De Bruyne dropping back in midfield and Foden moving forward to allow a faster attacking formation. However, De Bruyne suffered a head injury after a nasty collision with Rudiger midway through the second half, which forced Pep to substitute De Bruyne with Jesus.
Despite these changes, Chelsea's compact style was not meant to be broken down. There was no flowing play that fans loved to see from City and some owed that to the lineup Pep selected barring the notable injuries, while some said the lineup was near perfection, but Chelsea played better.
This was City's first time in a UCL final, which means Pep has another opportunity to bounce back and carry his team to a treble. Because who can truly curse an overthinker, when that is one of the characteristics of one of the world's best?
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