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Chelsea and Manchester City are just over 24 hours away from kicking off the all-important UEFA Champions League final at the Estadio do Dragao, Portugal. The two Premier League giants have been two of the most in-form teams in Europe heading into the game.
Chelsea have turned their campaign around since Thomas Tuchel's arrival at the club. Taking over from club legend Frank Lampard, the German transformed his side into one of the most difficult sides to play against. He led them past some of the biggest teams in Europe, including three wins out of four fixtures against Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid.
After a relatively slow start to the season, Pep Guardiola's Manchester City found their groove towards the end of 2020 and blew their rivals out of the water. They stormed to the top of the Premier League table and into the UCL final, beating the likes of Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund on the way.
It's been an incredible campaign so far, with both these sides being involved in some of the most impressive fixtures of this year's UCL. Ahead of one final showdown in Portugal for European glory, here is a look at five key battles to watch out for.
Manchester City v Chelsea — 5 Key Battles
Ilkay Gundogan v N'Golo Kante
N'Golo Kante has been one of Chelsea's heroes in their journey to their first UCL final since they last won it in 2012. He has been a menace in the middle, able to effortlessly carry the ball forward while effectively disrupting opposition attacks. Kante was Chelsea's Man of the Match across both legs against Real Madrid, and in the home leg against Atletico Madrid.
Against City, Kante could come face to face with one of the best goalscoring midfielders in Europe this season, Ilkay Gundogan.
The German has been a massive threat for Guardiola's side, and has made a difference time and again for the Catalan's side. Gundogan quietly influences proceedings in the middle, controlling the tempo of games when he isn't venturing forward.
It will surely be interesting to see if Gundogan manages to evade Kante's energy and get the better of him, or becomes the brilliant Frenchman's latest victim.
Phil Foden v Reece James
Now, this is one of the more interesting duels, to say the least. After nearly an entire campaign at right-back/wing-back, Tuchel recently moved James to centre-back. While this initially appeared to be a temporary measure for the FA Cup final, James played in central defence in the Blues' last two league games as well. Should he do so in the UCL final, he could be up against his compatriot, Phil Foden.
The 21-year-old has had a majestic second half of the season and has had a massive impact on City's season. Foden scored the winners in both legs of their knockout tie against Dortmund and played a huge role against PSG as well.
Foden is likely to reprise his role on the left-hand side and could be pitted against James on the right side of Chelsea's defence. If Tuchel opts to reverse Cesar Azpilicueta and James' positions, Foden could face the Chelsea captain instead of his England teammate.
Also read: 10 Best defenders in the Premier League this season (2020-21)
Riyad Mahrez v Ben Chilwell
There is little doubt that Riyad Mahrez is one of the deadliest attacking threats Chelsea will come up against on Saturday. The Algerian has been one of the stars of their magical UCL run so far and scored three goals in two games against PSG in the semi-final. He has been lethal on the counter, and his silky ability on the ball has given several defenders a run for their money.
The 30-year-old will line up on the right-hand side of the Cityzens' attack and is certainly set to be a handful for Ben Chilwell. Mahrez ran riot over PSG's left side during the previous game, and Chilwell cannot afford to give him any space whatsoever. With the Englishman and Antonio Rudiger playing on the left of defence, they have to be at their best not to allow Mahrez to get in behind them.
Another factor that will be important to consider is that Chilwell will be tasked with giving Chelsea width, potentially leaving a lot of space on the left. Rudiger will also have a massive role to play in nullifying the massive threat carried by City's star winger.
John Stones v Timo Werner
Timo Werner was one of Chelsea's most effective attackers against City in their FA Cup semi-final clash and, to a great degree, in their 2-1 Premier League win. The German put in a dogged display on both occasions and delivered assists for the winners in both games. This includes a stunning last-gasp winner at the Etihad Stadium.
His runs in behind with his blazing pace have caused the Cityzens a lot of issues, and on Wednesday, John Stones must be at his sharpest to stop him. Werner has a tendency to drift out wide, and that could see him come up against Stones.
The in-form Englishman is generally the one to bring the ball out of the back. Should he leave space in behind, Werner will be on hand to exploit it in a flash. Both Ruben Dias and Stones will have to keep an eye on Werner as neither are quick enough to catch him in full flow, as they found out earlier on.
In their biggest game of the season, the pair can make amends for their FA Cup semi-final loss at Wembley.
Kevin De Bruyne v Thiago Silva
One of the key features of City's set-ups in the UCL this season has been Guardiola's decision to opt against fielding a recognised striker. Kevin De Bruyne led their line in both legs against PSG and the Belgian has excelled in his false nine-esque role. He also scored the equaliser against PSG in the away leg. Considering the success this has brought his side, De Bruyne could be expected to reprise his role against Chelsea as well.
Should he do so, he could lock horns more often than not with arguably their most experienced player, Thiago Silva. The Brazilian is set to play his second UCL final in as many years and has been in top form this season, effortlessly settling into life in England.
Silva has been crucial to Chelsea as their central defender in a back three and could possibly be tasked with shutting De Bruyne down. However, this is no easy task as the City talisman has been in magnificent form and no active player in the UCL can better his tally of four assists.
Also read: 10 Best midfielders in the Premier League this season (2020-21)
