Manchester City vs. Chelsea or Guardiola vs. Tuchel. The German coach has the upper hand, but last time the Spaniard won

On Saturday from 13:30, the Premier League will see a big battle of one against the other. Clearly first Manchester City will challenge Chelsea, but in the duel between Pep Guardiola and Thomas Tuchel the German coach has the upper hand. How will the duel play out?

At the top of the table, Manchester City have a ten-point lead over Chelsea. They are on course for another Premier League title, but the London side know how to challenge the English champions.

Last May, they denied Guardiola what he wants most. A Champions League trophy. The English final did not bring many entertaining moments, but Thomas Tuchel prepared his team in a fantastic tactical way and after Havertz’s goal Chelsea could celebrate.

Since Tuchel’s arrival at Chelsea, the two coaches have faced each other four times and the statistics look in favour of the German coach. Although it may be a bit biased, as Guardiola saved a lot of players in last year’s league duel, for example.

Chelsea – Manchester City 1::0
17. 4. 2021, FA Cup semi-final

The first clash between two excellent tacticians. In the FA Cup, Manchester City was slightly better, scoring 11 shot attempts, Chelsea tried the attention of substitute goalkeeper Steffen only three times. Even that was enough to win the game, with Hakim Ziyech scoring the only goal of the game in the 55th minute.

Manchester City – Chelsea 1::2
8. 5. 2021, Premier League

This Premier League duel came the weekend after the Champions League semi-final, both teams already knew so well that they would face each other in the final. Moreover, the Citizens were already assured of the league title in the 35th round.

Even with these two facts in mind, Guardiola shuffled the line-up and opted for an unconventional 3-1-4-2 system so as not to reveal any cards ahead of the final. Even so, the Citizens went ahead in the 44th minute thanks to a Sterling strike. Agüero could have increased the lead in the first half, but his exhibition long-range effort from the penalty spot was met by Mendy.

Chelsea thus turned the game around in the second half when Ziyech scored first and Alonso made the decisive goal in the 92nd minute.

Chelsea – Manchester City 1::0
29. 5. 2021, Champions League Final

The biggest clash of all, Guardiola believed his moment would finally come. But for the third time, Tuchel outplayed him. The Spanish strategist tried to surprise the opponents by not deploying a defensive midfielder or a striker, so practically 6 offensive midfielders (Foden, Gündogan, De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, Mahrez, Sterling) were running on the pitch. But this move failed grossly.

Perfectly tactically prepared Chelsea handled the defensive situation perfectly and didn’t allow Citizens players any chances. In the 42nd minute, Havertz sent the Blues into the lead and the London side took a one-goal lead.

Chelsea – Manchester City 0::1
25. 9. 2021, Premier League

Finally, revenge for Pep Guardiola. Only at the fourth attempt he managed to overpower Thomas Tuchel as Chelsea coach. A very tactical match didn’t offer much excitement, in the first half the Citizens kept the ball more, but neither team threatened the opponent’s goal.

In the 53rd minute, Gabriel Jesus made the decisive goal, working a shot by João Cancelo and finishing. After that, Citizens had many more chances to increase the score, but they just threw away the chances. Chelsea equalised after a goal by Lukaku, which was disallowed due to Havertz’s offside.

Manchester City – Chelsea ?
15. 1. 2022, Premier League

Fifth mutual duel between Guardiola and Tuchel as coaches of Manchester City and Chelsea. The Citizens, who dominate the Premier League, are in much better form. Chelsea have drawn four times in their last five league games. Who will be happier in the end?

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