It meant Ilkay Gundogan, City’s top scorer this season and a revelation in his attacking-midfield role, dropped in as the anchorman in midfield and he struggled to protect City’s defense.
Indeed, for Chelsea’s goal, Mount had time and space to thread a superb pass from inside his own half through the center of City’s defense — which was opened up by Timo Werner’s decoy run — for Havertz to run onto. Ederson came flying out of his area and got the slightest of touches to the ball with his hand, but Havertz regained his balance and applied the easy finish.
City never had the control Guardiola so craves and, in that respect, Tuchel — another tactically astute manager — was the winner in his coaching duel with a rival he describes as “the benchmark.”
Werner, who worked the channels well behind City’s full backs, had already squandered two great chances before the goal, first miskicking from Havertz’s cut-back and then shooting tamely at Ederson from close range.
City faced the colossal task of breaching Chelsea’s well-drilled defense twice in the second half — one that became much tougher when City’s star player Kevin De Bruyne, who had little impact in the false nine role, was forced off in the 60th after a clash of heads with Antonio Rudiger.
Fernandinho finally came on in the 64th, by which time Chelsea had retreated and was looking to hit on the counterattack. From one, substitute Christian Pulisic — the first American player to feature in a Champions League final — ran onto Havertz’s pass but slipped a shot just wide.
For all the latest Sports News Click Here
For the latest news and updates, follow us on Google News.
