![Prost International [PINT]](https://prostinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/PINTtFontLogoRoboto1536x78.jpg)
It has not been uncommon for Europe’s biggest stage to have two English sides facing each other in a final: this feat has occurred three times including Tottenham Hotspur’s UEFA Cup triumph over Wolverhampton Wanderers in 1972.
Ever since the Abu Dhabi United group completed the takeover of Manchester City in 2008, the end goal was always to win European football’s greatest prize.
Three quarter-final heartbreaks in the last four years and a semi-final in 2016 have been City’s closest attempts in the Champions League so far, but Pep Guardiola’s team have never been better prepared.
Despite a disastrous start to the season, with worries about securing a top-four place in December, Manchester City turned on the magic and went on an unbeaten that saw them at the top of the table in January.
City were confirmed as Premier League champions after rivals Manchester United lost to Leicester City on May 11th. The Citizens also won their fourth straight Carabao Cup, beating Tottenham Hotspur in front of a minimal crowd at Wembley.
Chelsea are looking to add their second Champions League title to an already impressive trophy cabinet at Stamford Bridge. Since Roman Abramovich took over the club in 2003, the London club has been highly competitive in the competition.
The Blues lost their first Champions League final on penalties to Manchester United in 2009, but in 2012, it was a different story as they triumphed over Bayern Munich and again penalties were the deciding factors.
After a disappointing first half of the season, club legend Frank Lampard was dismissed in January. German manager Thomas Tuchel took over and drove the club to a fourth place finish in the Premier League.
Chelsea reached the FA Cup final at the expense of Manchester City, but they were denied the trophy by a spirited Leicester City side. Tuchel will be desperate to get hands-on silverware this season after the Wembley loss.
Manchester City’s Road to the Final:
Ironically, Manchester City were not supposed to be in this season’s Champions League after UEFA handed them a two-year ban in 2020. The Citizens bravely fought the case at the Court of Arbitration for sport and had the ban rightly overturned.
Group Stages
City were drawn in a group with Porto, Olympiacos and Marseille. The Blues won all but one game in the group stages, scoring 13 goals and only conceding one.
Round of 16- Manchester City 4-0 Borussia Mönchengladbach (on aggregate)
City controlled the first-leg, easing their way to a 2-0 victory. Energetic midfielder Bernardo Silva headed the Citizens into a first-half lead and then became the provider in the second-half for Gabriel Jesus to poke home.
It was a similar story in the second-leg, with Kevin De Brunye’s left-footed thunderbolt opening the scoring in the 12th minute. Ilkay Gundogan doubled City’s lead six minutes later, assisted by a deft pass from Phil Foden.
Quarter-final- Manchester City 4-2 Borussia Dortmund (on aggregate)
Phil Foden was the hero of the first-leg after Marco Reus pegged back De Bruyne’s 19th-minute opener. Manchester City were not deterred by the Bundesliga outfit’s late resurgence and Foden capped off an excellent display with a goal in the 90th minute.
Jude Bellingham gave City an early scare in the second-leg with a 15th-minute strike. The Premier League champions would regain control of the tie as Emre Can handled a cross to gift City a penalty.
Riyad Mahrez stepped up to give City a 3-2 aggregate lead. Foden finished off the tie in spectacular fashion as his shot found the bottom corner to seal the win and progression into the semi-final.
Semi-final- Manchester City 4-1 Paris Saint Germain (on aggregate)
Brazilian defender Marquinhos headed the French side into a 15th-minute lead as the Parisians dominated the first-half in the first-leg. City started the second-half with intent, and it was no surprise when De Bruyne equalised, despite the goal coming from a fortuitous cross that evaded Keylor Navas.
Mahrez gave City their second away goal, with an expertly placed free kick in the 71st minute. Former Everton midfielder Idrissa Gueye was dismissed six minutes later after a reckless challenge on Gundogan.
The second-leg ended up being the Riyad Mahrez show, as his brace saw off PSG.
The Algerian’s first came after Ederson found Oleksandr Zinchenko, with a long raking pass. He found De Bruyne, whose shot deflected towards the winger, who then slotted the ball coolly past Navas.
In the 63rd minute, a fast-paced breakaway through De Bruyne and Foden allowed Mahrez to tap in to finish off PSG.
The French side lost their heads, and it became inevitable one of their players would be sent off. Angel Di Maria, in a heated moment, kicked out at Fernandinho and was shown a red card.
Chelsea’s Road to the Final:
Group Stages
Chelsea were successful in their group containing Sevilla, Krasnodar and Stade Rennais. They won four games and drew two, scoring 14 and conceding two.
Round of 16- Chelsea 3-0 Atlético Madrid (on aggregate)
The first leg was an intensely contested affair, and it took a special overhead kick from Olivier Giroud to give Chelsea a crucial away goal. There was a VAR check to determine whether the ball reached Giroud from a Chelsea or Atletico boot as the Frenchman was offside, but the decision went in his favour.
Chelsea won the second-leg convincingly, and it was summer signing Hakim Ziyech who finished Timo Werner’s square pass in the 34th minute. Stefan Savic was then sent off for an elbow in the chest of Antonio Rüdiger.
Full-back Emerson scored in added time at the end of the 90 minutes to send Chelsea through to the quarter-final.
Quarter-final- Chelsea 2-1 Porto (on aggregate)
Mason Mount got Chelsea off the mark after a stunning turn and finish into the bottom corner in the 32nd minute. Ben Chilwell added to the lead in the second-half, capitalising on Jesus Corona’s poor touch to score.
Chelsea couldn’t extend their lead in the second-leg, but by the time Mehdi Taremi grabbed a goal in added time of the second-half, it was too late for Porto to start a comeback.
Semi-final- Chelsea 3-1 Real Madrid (on aggregate)
Christian Pulisic startled Madrid with a 14th-minute opener. He was sent in behind the Madrid defence by Rüdiger’s through ball and finished expertly past Thibaut Courtois. Karim Benzema equalised with a fantastic volley in the 29th minute after a smart short corner routine.
Timo Werner opened the scoring in the second-leg, despite Kai Havertz initially being denied by the crossbar with the German forward heading the ball in on the rebound. Mason Mount finished the win after N’Golo Kanté stole the ball in midfield and found Pulisic, who fed the Englishman to score.
Can Manchester City achieve the ultimate dream? There is no doubt Guardiola’s wonderful team has the ability, but mistakes and inexperience in a Champions League final may be the only issue.
One man with final experience is Ilkay Gundogan, but a possible thigh injury sustained in training may rule the midfielder out.
Thousands of fans who have travelled to Porto are hoping to be celebrating by the end of Saturday night, so it is now up to players to put on a spectacle for the world to remember.
So will Manchester City achieve what is seemingly their destiny or will Chelsea spoil the party and deny City another trophy this season?
Follow us on Twitter @ProstInt
[columns]
[column size=”1/2″][blog type=”timeline” posts=”10″ cats=”62″ heading=”UEFA Champions League” heading_type=”timeline” /][/column]
[column size=”1/2″][blog type=”timeline” posts=”10″ cats=”1072″ heading=”News” heading_type=”timeline” /][/column]
