Thomas Tuchel (L) has beaten Manchester City twice in a month. (imago Images)
According to Metro, Pep Guardiola has praised Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel for his tactics ahead of the Champions League final. The Manchester City manager had words of praise for his Chelsea counterpart’s influence at the club.
It has been a long journey for both clubs, which will culminate in a Champions League final. Chelsea had to go through a managerial change mid-season. However, they emerged stronger and defeated the likes of Atletico and Real Madrid to reach the final. City were not given an easy hand as they made it to their first final after beating strong sides like Dortmund and PSG.
Both sides are also coming off grueling domestic campaigns. City finished as champions while Chelsea managed to claw their way to fourth place. As the final in Porto approaches, players and managers have started speaking out on each other, some praises, some jabs.
Nonetheless, Guardiola, who will be aiming to win his third Champions League title, spoke out on the tactics employed by Thomas Tuchel at Chelsea.
‘Why Chelsea play so good… because they have three central defenders close, the two holding midfielders who move in relation are close, the pockets are close, the striker and the two [others in attack] are so, so close. The distances are so close, and at the same time they are so wide with the wing backs, they are so good with the ball in behind.
‘That’s why you cannot be close because they push you [out wide] and they have a lot of good players in the middle. That’s why it’s difficult to face teams who want the ball and want to play with the ball. We’ve tried to do it since day one.’
The former Barcelona manager also had his say on the impact Tuchel has had at Chelsea.
This will be Chelsea’s first Champions League final since that win in 2012 while City play their first-ever. City will be aiming to lift the trophy for the first time in their history. It promises to be a cracking affair with both sides looking very good.
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