Chelsea, European champion, beat City 1-0 in Porto

Champions, the exultation of the Chelsea players (Ansa)

• Champions, Manchester City and Chelsea in the last act

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29 May 2021Chelsea European champion subverting (almost) all predictions: in the final in Porto, in a stadium that is finally 'alive' (16,500 spectators admitted to Do Dragao), the Blues beat Manchester City 1-0 in the derby 'made in England' and showcase the second Champions in their history after the one they won in 2012 (in 2008 they lost to United instead). Coach Thomas Tuchel gets his big rematch after the knockout against Bayern in the 2020 final when he was leading Paris Saint-Germain, Pep Guardiola (who won the Premier League hands down) fails to break the spell that sees City ever triumph in the maximum continental competition.

He lives the first half of blazes, played at good pace and deservedly closed the lead by the Blues, who are waiting compactly (even if they lose Thiago Silva due to injury) and start off very well in speed. Immediately a dangerous incursion by Sterling, stopped for a corner by Mendy, then three chances for Timo Werner: at 10 'he frees the ball from an inviting position, at 14' he is stopped on the ground by Ederson, a minute later he concludes (ball deflected by Stones) on the external network. City tries to respond with Foden, but at 42 'goes under: a brilliant Mount centrally hole the opponent's rearguard with a spectacular filter for the rushing Havertz, who presents himself in front of Ederson, discards him and does not forgive. Citizens, if they want to recover, must change pace.

Recovery. Little happens until the 67th minute, when Azpilicueta with a fundamental split intervention (from Mahrez's cross) prevents the ball from reaching Gundogan, very solitary and ready to strike. But the opportunity to close the question is still for Chelsea (72 '): lightning fast counterattack and Havertz assist for the newly entered Pulisic, who sends diagonally to the side by very little. The changes of Guardiola (inside Gabriel Jesus, Fernandinho and Aguero, who will move to Barcelona) do not shake the City (disappointing game), which touches the level only in the seventh minute of recovery with the conclusion of Mahrez that flies over the intersection of a nothing of the poles. Final thrill before the well-deserved party of Tuchel's team, protagonist of a match of great quality and intelligence.