BritPat
Experienced Starter w/First Big Contract
- Joined
- Oct 5, 2006
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Hey folks, I hope you're keeping safe and well. Mods, forgive me if this is in the wrong place, from memory though we've always had topics in the main forum for the big non-NFL sporting events. Please move if necessary 
So, the big game. An all-English final; Pep Guardiola's Manchester City reach this stage for the first time (and likely not the last) whilst Chelsea are here for the third time in their history.
It feels like City will finally get their hands on the trophy that Pep, and no doubt City's UAE ownership, has craved the most, and the trophy that City brought Guardiola to the club to win.
Standing in their way though is a good Chelsea team brimming with talent, experience and a recent track record of beating Man City - City won the league encounter in January at Stamford Bridge, however Chelsea have since beaten them in the FA Cup semi-final in April and then followed that up with a win at the Etihad Stadium in the league just three weeks ago.
I think many expected City to be playing this game, but few would have backed Chelsea after they fired Frank Lampard mid-season. They hired the wily german Thomas Tuchel in his place though and he's tightened them up somewhat and brought some organisation to a team that lacked it badly.
City are on a roll this season though - they've won the Premier League at a canter and have taken all of their opponents apart in Europe. It's been their's and in particular Pep's achilles heel in the last few years and many would accuse the spaniard for trying to be too cute and over-think things with team selection and formation. They've not had the problems this season though that they've had making many believe this is finally the time when they get their hands on the premier club trophy in world football.
Interesting selection ahead of the game though by Pep - he's left out departing superstar striker and City legend Sergio Aguero, as well as back up Gabriel Jesus, deciding instead to go with the out of form Raheem Sterling in the so-called 'false 9' position. He's also opted to leave out the defensive minded Rodri and Fernandinho in midfield and opted to go with a more attacking trio. It's been Pep's biggest flaw - will it pay off?
Chelsea go with the team many expected although I'd have preferred to see Reece James at right wing-back. Big night for Timo Werner who cost a lot of money last summer and has struggled to live up to the billing. That forward trio can cause problems and Chilwell is dangerous from that left side.
Kick off at 8PM UK time (3PM Eastern).
Teams:
City (4-3-3)
So, the big game. An all-English final; Pep Guardiola's Manchester City reach this stage for the first time (and likely not the last) whilst Chelsea are here for the third time in their history.
It feels like City will finally get their hands on the trophy that Pep, and no doubt City's UAE ownership, has craved the most, and the trophy that City brought Guardiola to the club to win.
Standing in their way though is a good Chelsea team brimming with talent, experience and a recent track record of beating Man City - City won the league encounter in January at Stamford Bridge, however Chelsea have since beaten them in the FA Cup semi-final in April and then followed that up with a win at the Etihad Stadium in the league just three weeks ago.
I think many expected City to be playing this game, but few would have backed Chelsea after they fired Frank Lampard mid-season. They hired the wily german Thomas Tuchel in his place though and he's tightened them up somewhat and brought some organisation to a team that lacked it badly.
City are on a roll this season though - they've won the Premier League at a canter and have taken all of their opponents apart in Europe. It's been their's and in particular Pep's achilles heel in the last few years and many would accuse the spaniard for trying to be too cute and over-think things with team selection and formation. They've not had the problems this season though that they've had making many believe this is finally the time when they get their hands on the premier club trophy in world football.
Interesting selection ahead of the game though by Pep - he's left out departing superstar striker and City legend Sergio Aguero, as well as back up Gabriel Jesus, deciding instead to go with the out of form Raheem Sterling in the so-called 'false 9' position. He's also opted to leave out the defensive minded Rodri and Fernandinho in midfield and opted to go with a more attacking trio. It's been Pep's biggest flaw - will it pay off?
Chelsea go with the team many expected although I'd have preferred to see Reece James at right wing-back. Big night for Timo Werner who cost a lot of money last summer and has struggled to live up to the billing. That forward trio can cause problems and Chilwell is dangerous from that left side.
Kick off at 8PM UK time (3PM Eastern).
Teams:
City (4-3-3)
- 31 Ederson
- 2 Walker
- 5 Stones
- 3 Rúben Dias
- 11 Zinchenko
- 17 De Bruyne
- 8 Gündogan
- 20 Bernardo Silva
- 26 Mahrez
- 7 Sterling
- 47 Foden
Substitutes
- 6 Aké
- 9 Gabriel Jesus
- 10 Agüero
- 13 Steffen
- 14 Laporte
- 16 Rodri
- 21 Torres
- 22 Mendy
- 25 Fernandinho
- 27 Cancelo
- 33 Carson
- 50 García
============================
Chelsea (3-4-2-1)
- 16 Mendy
- 24 James
- 6 Thiago Silva
- 2 Rüdiger
- 28 Azpilicueta
- 7 Kanté
- 5 Jorginho
- 21 Chilwell
- 19 Mount
- 29 Havertz
- 11 Werner
Substitutes
- 1 Arrizabalaga
- 3 Alonso
- 4 Christensen
- 10 Pulisic
- 13 Caballero
- 15 Zouma
- 17 Kovacic
- 18 Giroud
- 20 Hudson-Odoi
- 22 Ziyech
- 23 Gilmour
- 33 Emerson
Referee: Antonio Miguel Mateu Lahoz
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