Here we are, into the UEFA Champions League Final of the season 2020-21. This season saw many ups and downs with many difficulties becoming hurdles but we have crossed it all as we head towards the Ultimate Battle of the Season.
Due to the pandemic, the whole season was played in the absence of fans in stadiums and many venues changed. But the final game will finally welcome the fans as the whole world has their eyes set on Estadio do Dragao Stadium in Porto.
For the second time in 3 seasons, we have an all-English final with Manchester City and Chelsea set to play one of the biggest matches in the history of their clubs.
MANCHESTER CITY
With many questions to be answered, Pep’s squad started the season with a lot to prove. After achieving it all with his Man City squad, the only honor left to claim was a place in the final of the UEFA Champions League. And this time the Manchester Blues have finally lived up to the expectations as not only they are just a step away from the Champions League Trophy but have also been crowned the Champions of England and have won the League Cup already this season.
With this being the opportunity to claim their club’s first-ever Champions League trophy, the players will enter the field with the highest of spirits and an urge to achieve their goal.
MAN CITY TEAM NEWS
Manchester City have been relatively lucky with injuries when compared to their fellow rivals in Europe and England. For the final as well, they will be in with their full squad with Ilkay Gundogan boost as the German said that he came off the pitch against Brighton & Hove Albion just as a precaution and has not missed any training session since then.
The big dilemma for Pep will be to choose his holding midfielder and his left-back. But Pep would not like to drop his club captain in the club’s biggest match thus Fernandinho will get the nod over Rodri. But for the left-back position, the question is will Pep take a gamble with out of form Joao Cancelo who though is more attacking, or go with reliable Zinchenko? We at Premier League News Now predict Pep will go with Zinchenko over Cancelo. Also, will the club legend, Sergio Aguero, get the best send-off?
MAN CITY PREDICTED LINEUP: Ederson; Walker, Stones, Dias, Zinchenko; Fernandinho, Bernado Silva, Gundogan; Mahrez, De Bruyne, Foden
CHELSEA
Thomas Tuchel has just come a very long way with the Chelsea squad who were once lagging at the 10th position in the league and were nowhere near the contenders for the prestigious trophy. He has helped the Blues in London to secure a top 4 place and has led Chelsea against Athletico Madrid, Porto, and Real Madrid in the knock-out phases and secure a well-deserved spot in the last 2. But the team still has a lot of questions to answer on the pitch to put in a collective effort against strong opposition.
They eye their second Champions League title while club manager Thomas Tuchel and player Thiago Silva will compete in their second consecutive final after just falling short the previous season.
CHELSEA TEAM NEWS
Chelsea fans definitely have things to worry about as two of their most influential players, N’golo Kante and Edouard Mendy are still doubts for the big game on Saturday. With Kante pulling out during the Leicester City game last week and Edouard Mendy suspected with broken ribs, the hopes of Chelsea fans have taken a major set-back. However, both players were seen in training for Chelsea on Wednesday and thus are in contention to start.
Tuchel will definitely have a headache while putting his XI on paper. With club captain, Azpilicueta’s experience key for his selection, the choice will be between Reece James and Christensen. But due to Reece being influential on both ends of the pitch, we see him edging over Dan. With Kante’s predicted fit, it will be interesting to see if Jorginho, despite his very poor form in recent matches, will get the nod over Kovacic or not.
Front 3 selection has been always a dilemma for Chelsea this whole season and this will again be the biggest question for Tuchel to answer. With Mount and Werner looking as Tuchel’s go-to men in big games, the fight will be for the third spot with Christian Pulisic, Kai Havertz, and Hakim Ziyech in contention. Even Hudson-Odoi could be a trump card that Tuchel might have saved for a game of this stature.
CHELSEA PREDICTED LINEUP: Mendy; James, Silva, Rudiger; Azpilicueta, Kante, Jorginho, Chilwell; Mount, Werner, Havertz
PREDICTION
This definitely will be a tactical battle between Tuchel and Pep. Both clubs have a lot in their tank and will have to prove their worth. Most of the players will be entering their first-ever final and thus holding nerves in this match will be the key.
Although Man City enter the final as favorites, but one cannot forget that Tuchel has got the better over Pep twice in the last few weeks. Thus predicting a clear winner will be an injustice to both the clubs and thus we predict a draw and then leave the rest on the lucks of both teams.
