In many respects, it is a natural successor to Guardiola-v-Jurgen Klopp, a continuation not just of the German school of football but of microscopic attention to detail; of perfectly choreographed set plays punctured or recalibrated by each other’s chess moves.
The mind games will be tactical rather than psychological, the warfare focused on strategic manoeuvres rather than intra-city rivalry or pizza throwing.
But Tuchel-Guardiola will also be a notable departure from Klopp-Guardiola in a tactical sense, reflecting the calmer and more measured battle lines drawn by big clubs across Europe in response to the pandemic.
There are signs that this shift, forced by the congested fixture list and exacerbated by emotionless empty stadiums, is setting in.
Posted on May 10, 2021 in Articles
If Manchester City are not careful, as Amarachi Orie writes, Chelsea’s Hakim Ziyech might just deny them Champions League glory.
Hakim Ziyech led Chelsea’s incredible comeback at the Etihad this weekend to deny Manchester City winning the Premier League title. Both teams qualified for the Champions League final in midweek and, in this Premier League fixture, the winger showed just how much of an impact he can have on results.
It was a lone goal by Ziyech that saw Manchester City out of the FA Cup last month, denying them the chance of winning the quadruple; this time, his goal was the turning point in a 2-1 victory that further solidified Chelsea’s place in the top four.
LONDON: Chelsea forced Manchester City to put their Premier League title party on hold on Saturday, winning 2-1 to strengthen their grip on a top-four place as Liverpool kept their Champions League qualification hopes alive.
Victory for City in a rehearsal for the Champions League final would have confirmed them as English champions for the third time in four years but they must wait for their inevitable coronation.
Hundreds of City fans had gathered outside the empty Etihad Stadium hoping to spur their team on to victory.
As supporters spilled into the road and blue flares were lit, the coaches carrying the players needed to slow down to get through the crowds as they made their way to the ground.