It is down to one match to decide who will come out on top as the ultimate champions of Europe. As the whole world catches on the UEFA Champions League fever, let us take a look back at the last two seasons and analyse how Manchester City and Chelsea have fared in matches with each other in all competitions.
As Pep Guardiola and Thomas Tuchel’s sides play it out in Porto, it will be important to keep in mind who has got the psychological edge in this game given the previous run of results in matches between the two sides.
1) 2019-20 PREMIER LEAGUE MATCH DAY 13 (23-11-2019) (MCI 2-1 CHE)
N’Golo Kante opened the scoring for the Blues in Manchester, but Frank Lampard’s side couldn’t build on the lead as Manchester City came from behind to register a win at the Etihad Stadium courtesy of goals from the midfield duo of Kevin De Bruyne and Riyad Mahrez.
Coming into this game, City had lost their previous match with Liverpool and needed to win to deliver a statement of intent to the Merseysiders. And they did just that by winning their match with Chelsea by coming from a goal down to stun the Londoners in Manchester
2) 2019-20 PREMIER LEAGUE MATCH DAY 31 (25-06-2020) (CHE 2-1 MCI)
This match was originally scheduled to be held on March 19, 2020, but owing to the coronavirus induced lockdown was postponed until late June. Coming into this match the Sky Blues knew that they had to win to prevent Liverpool from clinching the title without even having to kick a ball.
American midfielder Christian Pulisic delivered the sucker punch to City in the first half, only for Kevin De Bruyne to level for the defending champions through a sumptuous free kick.
Everyone hoped that De Bruyne’s goal would spark a comeback, but it wasn’t to be as City conceded a penalty in the 78th minute and Willian converted it to hand the Premier League title to Liverpool
3) 2020-21 PREMIER LEAGUE MATCH DAY 17 (03-01-2021) (CHE 1-3 MCI)
When this match kicked off, Manchester City were in 8th position in the Premier League while Chelsea were above them. City effectively demolished Chelsea at Stamford Bridge as Ilkay Gundogan, Phil Foden and Kevin De Bruyne scored for the Sky Blues in the British capital.
This win kick-started a run of 12 consecutive victories in the Premier League for Pep Guardiola’s side and by the end of this run City were atop the league table. They subsequently won the league for the third time in four years this May
4) 2020-21 FA CUP SEMI-FINALS (17-04-2021) (CHE 1-0 MCI)
Chelsea exacted revenge for their defeat at Stamford Bridge earlier in the year by ousting City and Guardiola from the FA Cup semi-finals. This was Thomas Tuchel’s first victory over Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City.
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Hakim Ziyech scored the only goal of the game as the Blues booked a place in the final at the Wembley Stadium. Although they lost it to Leicester City in the final, still a win over Manchester City was pivotal in asserting their identity and Tuchel’s philosophy
5) 2020-21 PREMIER LEAGUE (08-05-2021) (MCI 1-2 CHE)
Manchester City came into this match knowing that a win would crown them as Premier League champions, but Tuchel’s Chelsea had other plans in mind.
Even though City took the lead through a goal from Raheem Sterling, it was the Londoners who emerged victorious as goals from Hakim Ziyech and Pep Guardiola’s compatriot Marcos Alonso in the second half turned the game on its head.
City were made to wait for another week before being confirmed as league winners after United lost to Leicester City next week
HEAD-TO-HEAD RECORD – CHELSEA 3 – 2 MANCHESTER CITY
Thus, over the last two seasons Chelsea have had the upper hand in matches with Manchester City in the Premier League and FA Cup. Thomas Tuchel has a 100% record when it comes to matches with Manchester City as Chelsea’s manager.
Man. City & Chelsea go head-to-head for the ultimate prize in club football 🏆🤩
Who will triumph in Porto? 🤔#UCL #UCLfinal pic.twitter.com/CIMZnFlQ3J
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) May 29, 2021
But, the bookmakers’ favourites are Manchester City to lift the Champions League trophy given Pep Guardiola’s perfect record in European finals. As such, it will be interesting to see who comes out on top in Porto