29 May,2021 06:23 AM IST | Mumbai | Ronald Chettiar
Dr Mithun Krishnan
With manager Pep Guardiola's experience on their side, Manchester City are favourites against Chelsea in tonight's UEFA Champions League final. The match-up between Chelsea's Mason Mount and Man City's Phil Foden will also be interesting. I don't think City's defeat to the Blues in the English Premiership this season will have any bearing on this match.
Recent head-to-heads suggest that Chelsea have the upper hand against Manchester City in tonight's Champions league final, having beaten them twice this season. Having said that, I think Man City may have just thrown their rivals a couple of bones [wins] with the intention of robbing their house [Champions League title].
The impeccably well-coached Chelsea have one of the tightest defences in Europe. In head-to-heads too, Chelsea are up, having beaten Man City 70 times and lost 59 games to them with 39 draws. Chelsea will approach this final by being hard to break down at the back and wait for chances to come at the other end.
Manchester City are the reigning English Premiership champions and among the best teams in the world currently, so I think they will beat Chelsea tonight. Chelsea simply do not have the same standing. That's not to suggest though that this won't be a tightly-contested final. But my money is on Man City winning 2-1.
My heart wants Chelsea to win but my head says Man City because they are managed by a shrewd tactician, Pep Guardiola.
Such big finals are won on the strategy board rather than on the field and Pep is a master planner. Winning the Champions League with City is his ultimate goal and there's no stopping him.
Also read: UEFA Champions League Final: âEverything is possible'
Catch live action on Sony Ten 2 & Ten 2 HD, 00:30 (Sunday)
