119th minute of the European Super Cup between Chelsea and Villarreal, both coached by former coaches of Paris Saint-Germain: Thomas Tuchel decided to make a change as the penalty shoot-out approached by replacing the holder Edouard Mendy by Kepa Arrizabalaga.
A choice that paid off, since the Blues ended up winning the match, but absolutely not spontaneous, as the German explained at a press conference.
“We talked about it with the goalies after the first cup game against Barsnley.
Kepa has the best ratio for penalty saves, analysts and goalkeeper coaches have shown me the data.
We told the players that it could happen when we play cleaver matches.
It's fantastic to see how (Edouard) Mendy accepted this.
"
Mendy not selfish for a penny
Indeed, it works better in this sense than when it is Kepa who has to come out.
Mendy, after the match, at the microphone of Canal +: “We have a group, we are a team.
Everyone plays their score.
Me, I did my score in the match.
It has been expected since last year that depending on events and circumstances, if there was a penalty shootout, Kepa was likely to return, like Willy Caballero last year.
This is a scenario I was ready for.
It's beautiful, a group that lives well.
Sport
European Supercup: Chelsea win the trophy by beating Villarreal on penalties
Chelsea
Villareal
Thomas tuchel
Sport