THE COMPETITIONS Europeans came to an end last week. Villarreal won the Europa League and the colorful yellow occupied all the covers, describing their victory as a manhood, against the powerful Manchester United. On Saturday the European game was closed: between the English, the Champions League was resolved, in favor of Chelsea. Both left as victims and were victorious. Everything ended in surprise.
Villarreal’s history with penalties goes a long way. He took a glass from him and now he gave it to her and in what way. After 21 successful shots, the 22nd arrives and it is stopped by the goalkeeper, who scored and stopped. I have never experienced such a long and successful penalty shoot-out.
The Champions League moved to Porto, it was played with an audience and thus the spirit, the color, and even the game were different.
Several theories collapse after this final and the return of physical power is reinforced. Simeone says it frequently, he gives more character, work and order than quality. Chelsea came out champion for an unreserved delivery, with collective commitment, and the work paid off; thus he had liquidated the two teams in Madrid, which made him believe and strengthen himself in his possibilities, and thus he became champion.
In the Porto final a firm structure was seen, very close together, with two lines (one of five and the other of four), which moved like an accordion in the coming and going. Chelsea was not knocked down either inside or outside, in an almost perfect defensive exercise and without giving up the counterattack. He did not concede close goal actions or shots on goal, his goalkeeper did not use the gloves.
The fluidity of Manchester City against the solidity of Chelsea. The battle for the middle. Both teams are very strong indoors. Each one is in their own way.
Guardiola accumulates midfielders even in positions in which most teams normally play with other profiles (false nine), the winger goes inwards and the winger, at the ball exit, offers himself as a pivot.
For its part, Chelsea protects itself, above all, in that area with three center-backs, two midfielders ahead, reducing the space between lines and making it very difficult for the rival to filter passes to the production and finishing plots. The dispute to prevail in that area and show the strength of each one was exciting for analysts and fans of this game.
Some for possession and others for counterattack.
Given this, Pep Guardiola agitated the team, modified, changed players, acted as a coach influencing the team and the game, but did not give him to bring down the English neighbor. He played on the inside, he played on the outside, and nothing. The change of pieces to join centrals and finish on the outside was not successful. He intervened a lot in the game. In the end, like any mortal, he also sought direct play with shipments to the area.
The City did not come up with the plan. He knew about the strength of the rival and tried to do something different, since he had previously surprised him and failed even though they know each other very well. Nothing to reproach, this is football, it is won and lost and must be accepted as part of the game. But investing requires being champions.
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