Former Arsenal boss, Arsene Wenger has praised Thomas Tuchel for creating a ‘tactical problem’ for Pep Guardiola in last night’s Champions League final between Chelsea and Manchester City.
Chelsea won their second Champions League trophy in history and a first for Tuchel as Blues manager with Kai Havertz’s first-half goal in Porto.
It was indeed a difficult night for Pep Guardiola’s side as they struggled to break down Chelsea throughout the game.
Chelsea on the other hand, missed a couple of excellent chances in each half through Timo Werner and Christian Pulisic.
Wenger, a Premier League legend, praised Tuchel’s decision to tuck Mason Mount and Havertz inwards when Chelsea were out of position in order to force City to attack in wider areas.
“I would still say Guardiola has just been voted Manager of the Year in England because he won the championship and dominated,” Wenger told beIN Sports.
“A final is on one game, and that’s where you have to turn up and play at your best. Today I must say for Man City that was not the case.
“But you said they [City] lost two games against Chelsea. That strengthened the belief of Chelsea, and certainly made Man City a bit insecure. We never know exactly what traces of defeat leave in our mind.
“But it showed tonight that Chelsea were convinced they could beat them.
“I must as well what Tuchel did well, he played Mount and Havertz more inside defensively. So Man City could never find a way through the middle and they had to go wide and Chelsea were quite strong tonight.
“So Man City had a big tactical problem tonight that they could never sort out. They were not balanced, they didn’t find a way to play incisive football and Chelsea stopped them very well.”
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