UEFA Champions League

Christian Pulisic had a lot to celebrate Saturday during the UEFA Champions League final between Chelsea and Manchester City. 

The 22-year-old became the first American to play in a Champions League final when he was inserted as a sub in the 66th minute:

HISTORY MADE

Christian Pulisic becomes the first American to play in the men's Champions League final 👏 pic.twitter.com/DN6taWIycl

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 29, 2021

Pulisic came within an eyelash of adding to his legend by scoring a goal, but his attempt was just wide of the net:

Thomas Tuchel reacting to Christian Pulisic's miss 🙈 pic.twitter.com/lGLY2IdpKo

— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) May 29, 2021

Even though the reaction in that moment was one of distress, Pulisic ended the day in a state of euphoria when the Blues held on for a 1-0 win over City. 

The moment Christian Pulisic became the first male American to play in and win a European Cup 🏆 pic.twitter.com/XD7ahuTkiP

— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) May 29, 2021

Pulisic became the second American to win a UEFA Champions League title. Jovan Kirovski was the first as a member of Borussia Dortmund in 1996-97. 

Chelsea finished the Champions League season unbeaten. It won Group E with a 4-2-0 record to advance to the knockout stage. 

The Blues beat Atletico Madrid, Porto and Real Madrid to earn a date with Manchester City in Saturday's final. 

Chelsea won the UEFA Champions League title for the second time in club history. Pulisic contributed two goals and two assists in the 10 matches he played.

For the first time in nine years, Chelsea won the men's UEFA Champions League thanks to a 1-0 victory over Manchester City at Estadio do Dragao in Portugal on Saturday. 

🏆 Chelsea have won the UEFA Champions League for a second time! 👏👏👏#UCL #UCLfinal pic.twitter.com/3ogfCK5C71

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) May 29, 2021

Kai Havertz's first Champions League goal provided the difference. The 21-year-old got behind City's defense after receiving a perfect pass from Mason Mount.

City goalkeeper Ederson came out to close down Havertz but was rounded by the forward, leaving the Germany international with a wide-open net to open the scoring in the 42nd minute.

Kai Havertz’s first Champions League goal of his career is the opener in the #UCLFinal

(🎥: @ChampionsLeague)pic.twitter.com/FPBnfph5Fp

— B/R Football (@brfootball) May 29, 2021

ESPN noted coming into the match that Mount created more than twice as many scoring chances for Chelsea as any other player between the Premier League and Champions League since Thomas Tuchel took over as manager in January.

That trend continued on Saturday:

Mason Mount created more chances (3) in the first 45 minutes of the Champions League final than the entire Man City side combined (2).

◎ 22 passes attempted
◉ 22 passes completed

Oh, and the assist was perfect. #UCLfinal pic.twitter.com/0LK60YY3Lu

— Squawka (@Squawka) May 29, 2021

Mason Mount is the first English player to provide an assist in a #UCLFinal since Wes Brown in 2008.

What a ball. pic.twitter.com/pdd06SAgJD

— Squawka (@Squawka) May 29, 2021

As expected coming into the final, scoring opportunities were few and far between for both clubs. Manchester City did have a 60-40 edge in time of possession, but it could only manage six total shots and one on goal.

Early in the second half, the video assistant referee was required to check on a potential handball by Reece James, but the officials determined no penalty would be awarded, much to the chagrin of City fans.

City fans convinced that was handball 😫#MCFC | #UCLFinal pic.twitter.com/x0rsjYrcYU

— Manchester City News (@ManCityMEN) May 29, 2021

With the score still 1-0 in the second half, Christian Pulisic came on for the Blues. The American star made history just by getting into the game, but he nearly added to his legend with an excellent scoring opportunity.

Thomas Tuchel reacting to Christian Pulisic's miss 🙈 pic.twitter.com/lGLY2IdpKo

— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) May 29, 2021

🇺🇸 Pulišić becomes the first American to play in a #UCLfinal pic.twitter.com/nK9MAABRSo

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) May 29, 2021

City's best opportunities to tie the score came late in the second half, but they were mostly limited to crossing opportunities rather than testing Edouard Mendy in the Chelsea goal.

In the 89th minute, Chelsea's defense cut off Riyad Mahrez's path to the goal. His pass to Phil Foden arrived a moment too late, giving Andreas Christensen just enough time to disrupt his shot attempt and clear the ball from Blues territory. 

HIGH DRAMA pic.twitter.com/jUoE3ZkLD1

— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) May 29, 2021

The officials added seven minutes of stoppage time, but Chelsea's defense remained steadfast in its refusal to give up easy looks. City's best effort came from Mahrez with just a minute remaining, but he rushed his attempt with weaker right foot, and it sailed high and wide.

The men's UEFA Champions League title is the second in Chelsea's history and first since 2011-12.

Tuchel has also had Pep Guardiola's number in the past three matches between the two clubs. Chelsea is 3-0 in those games and has held City to one total goal.

Manchester City and Chelsea are two of the most familiar foes you will ever see contest a UEFA Champions League final.

The Premier League teams will face off in the second all-English UCL final in the past three seasons. Liverpool defeated Tottenham Hotspur in 2019.

Although Manchester City has been the better team over the past few years, it has had trouble dealing with Chelsea recently. The west London side captured three of the past four meetings with the Premier League champions.

              

UEFA Champions League Final Info

Date: Saturday, May 29

Start Time: 3 p.m. ET

Venue: Estadio do Dragao, Porto, Portugal

TV: CBS

Live Stream: Paramount+

              

If you examine the overall form of Manchester City and Chelsea this season, Pep Guardiola's side should have the edge in Porto.

City produced 19 more league points than Chelsea en route to the title and added the Carabao Cup to garnish Guardiola's extensive resume with the club.

The Champions League is the only trophy Guardiola has not won with City. He won the competition as manager on two occasions during his time with Barcelona.

Chelsea is playing in its second final of the campaign. It beat Manchester City 1-0 on April 17 to advance to the FA Cup final, where it lost to Leicester City.

Three weeks after the teams' FA Cup semifinal, the Blues defeated Manchester City in league play by a 2-1 scoreline. Both of those results occurred after Thomas Tuchel took over as manager.

In the lone City-Chelsea game this season for which Frank Lampard was in charge of the Blues, Manchester City won 3-1 on January 3.

Tuchel has engineered a turnaround at Stamford Bridge that has brought a defensive toughness to the squad, but the number of goals scored has also dropped. Over the past 12 matches in all competitions, neither Chelsea nor its opponents has scored more than two goals in a contest.

The past two City-Chelsea matches fall into that category, but the one significant difference between those games and the UCL final will be the presence of a healthy Kevin De Bruyne.

De Bruyne was taken off in the 48th minute of the FA Cup semifinal, and he did not feature in the league defeat at the Etihad Stadium. When City won at Stamford Bridge on January 3, De Bruyne provided a goal and an assist.

Phil Foden, Ilkay Gundogan and Raheem Sterling also have goals in the three head-to-head clashes this term. For Chelsea, Hakim Ziyech has two tallies and Callum Hudson-Odoi and Marcos Alonso have one each.

All four of Chelsea's goals occurred in the second half, with the earliest coming from Ziyech in the 55th minute on April 17. Conversely, all four of City's tallies in those contests occurred in the first half, including all three in the January 3 triumph.

If those trends hold up, City could be on the way to its first UCL trophy. But if Chelsea plays tighter defense in the opening stanza, it could be in better shape to leave Portugal as the European champion.

                  

Statistics obtained from FBRef.com.

Manchester City is chasing after the treble in the 2021 UEFA Champions League final.

The English Premier League champion has 10 trophies in the Pep Guardiola era, including the league title and EFL Cup this season, but it has yet to win the Champions League under the legendary manager. 

In fact, City will be making their first-ever UCL final appearance on Saturday at the Estadio do Dragao in Porto, Portugal.

City will face off with Chelsea in the second all-English final in three years. Liverpool bested Tottenham Hotspur in 2019.

The Blues are after their second UCL title. They defeated Bayern Munich in 2012 and lost in another all-English final to Manchester United in 2008.

         

UEFA Champions League Final Info

Date: Saturday, May 29

Start Time: 3 p.m. ET 

TV: CBS

Live Stream: Paramount+

Odds (via DraftKings Sportsbook): Manchester City (-113; bet $113 to win $100); Chelsea (+335; bet $100 to win $335); Draw (+245)

Manchester City and Chelsea enter the match off much different finishes to their league campaign.

City cruised to the EPL title and finished 12 points ahead of second-place Manchester United, while Chelsea fought until the final day to earn UCL qualification for next season through a fourth-place league finish. 

Guardiola's men come into the final as the more rested side and the one in much better form throughout the season.

Even though head coach Thomas Tuchel brought more results to Chelsea when he took over for Frank Lampard, the Blues were not at City's level in the league.

Manchester City led the EPL with 83 goals scored, and it has put 12 past its three knockout-round opponents in the UCL, including Borussia Dortmund and Paris Saint-Germain. 

Ilkay Gundogan and Raheem Sterling were the only City players to reach double figures in the scoring column in league play, but that number grows when you expand the goal breakdown across all competitions. 

Seven City players have 10 or more goals this season and three earned double-digit assists, which makes it such a hard attacking unit to contain over 90 minutes. 

Chelsea has the defensive structure to keep City at bay, though. It allowed two goals to Atletico Madrid, FC Porto and Real Madrid and was second to City in goal concession in the EPL. 

The Blues defeated Man City 1-0 in the FA Cup semifinal and 2-1 in league action on May 8. Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden did not start in the second of those two meetings. 

De Bruyne will likely be the game's difference-maker since he is one of the best passers in Europe. He produced four of his 18 assists this season in the Champions League. 

In his lone extended appearance against Chelsea this season, the Belgium international recorded a goal and an assist on January 3. He played 47 minutes in the FA Cup semifinal.

If De Bruyne dictates the tempo and create a handful of chances, he could force Chelsea to rip apart its defensive game plan. 

Under Tuchel, Chelsea has not played many high-scoring games. It has two goals or fewer over its last 12 games across all competitions. 

If Chelsea triumphs, it will do so with its defense. But if City gets ahead early, or lands a handful of quality chances in the first half, the match could shift in its direction. 

But City may have too much attacking firepower that stretches Chelsea's defense thin, starting with De Bruyne. 

If he breaks loose and feeds City's other attackers for quality chances, the treble could be well within reach given Chelsea's lack of high-scoring goal totals recently.

Prediction: Manchester City 3-1

    

Statistics obtained from FBRef.com.

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Liverpool and Chelsea secured the last two Premier League berths in next season's UEFA Champions League during Sunday's final matches of the 2020-21 EPL campaign.

Manchester City, the previously crowned Premier League champions, and Manchester United had already clinched their UCL tickets in earlier weeks.

Leicester City and West Ham United, who finished fifth and sixth in the table, respectively, will head to the Europa League group stage for the 2021-22 season, while Tottenham Hotspur earned seventh place and will take part in the Europa Conference League playoff round.

The day started with a three-team race for the final two Champions League berths. Chelsea held a one-point advantage over Liverpool and Leicester.

While the Blues' 2-1 loss to Aston Villa left the door open for both chase clubs to leapfrog them in the standings, only the Reds took advantage. Liverpool scored a 2-0 win over Crystal Palace, but the Foxes allowed three goals in the final 20 minutes in a 4-2 defeat at the hands of Spurs.

The victory by Ryan Mason's side was crucial in their own pursuit of European football next season as Arsenal scored a 2-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion, which would have pushed the Gunners into seventh place if Spurs didn't make their comeback against Leicester.

Let's check out the full list of results from Sunday's action:

And breathe 😅 pic.twitter.com/AJXvCksnhA

— Premier League (@premierleague) May 23, 2021

And here's a look at the final Premier League table:

The 2020/21 #PL season: ✅ pic.twitter.com/n34hMYHwHi

— Premier League (@premierleague) May 23, 2021

Fulham, West Bromwich Albion and Sheffield United were the relegated clubs.

Spurs' Harry Kane finished the season with both the most goals (23) and assists (14) in the league. It's just the third player in history to lead the Premier League in both categories, joining Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink (1998-99) and Andy Cole (1993-94), per ESPN Stats & Info.

Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson paced the EPL with 19 clean sheets.

The 2021-22 Premier League season is scheduled to get underway Aug. 14. The fixtures will be released June 16.

The 2021 UEFA Champions League final between Chelsea and Manchester City on May 29 has been moved to Estadio do Dragao in Porto, Portugal.

ESPN's Tom Hamilton reported Thursday the decision comes because of COVID-19 travel restrictions that would have prevented English fans from traveling to Turkey for the championship match. UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin commented on the change of location:

"I think we can all agree that we hope never to experience a year like the one we have just endured. Fans have had to suffer more than 12 months without the ability to see their teams live and reaching a Champions League final is the pinnacle of club football.

"To deprive those supporters of the chance to see the match in person was not an option, and I am delighted that this compromise has been found. After the year that fans have endured, it is not right that they don't have the chance to watch their teams in the biggest game of the season."

Officials tried to move the game to England, but the UK government wouldn't grant a quarantine exemption to the estimated 2,000 people who'd need to travel into the country for the match, per Hamilton.

A final decision about how many fans will be allowed to attend the UCL final in Portugal is pending, according to BBC Sport.

"I hope the final will be a symbol of hope at the re-emergence of Europe from a difficult period and that the fans who travel to the game will once again be able to lend their voices to showcase this final as the best in club football," Ceferin said.

Chelsea and Manchester City will be facing off for the third time in six weeks when they take to the pitch in the final. The Blues won the first two meetings, 1-0 in the FA Cup semifinal on April 17 and a 2-1 victory in a May 8 Premier League fixture.

City are seeking their first Champions League title, while Chelsea previously won the UCL in 2012 and lost in the 2008 final.

UEFA announced Wednesday it has launched a formal investigation into Barcelona, Juventus and Real Madrid, the three clubs that haven't distanced themselves from plans related to the failed European Super League. 

The Athletic provided the full statement from football's governing body in Europe:

"In accordance with Article 31(4) of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations, UEFA Ethics and Disciplinary Inspectors have today been appointed to conduct a disciplinary investigation regarding a potential violation of UEFA's legal framework by Real Madrid CF, FC Barcelona and Juventus FC in connection with the so-called 'Super League' project. Further information regarding this matter will be made available in due course."

UEFA reached an agreement with nine of the 12 Super League founding members last week on "reintegration measures," which included a commitment to future UEFA club tournaments and the ability to withhold five percent of revenue from the club's next appearance in UEFA competitions.

The announcement also noted the cases of Barcelona, Juventus and Real Madrid would be sent to its disciplinary bodies for "whatever action it deems appropriate."

Those three clubs released a joint statement Saturday in response to the threat of UEFA sanctions:

"The founding clubs have suffered, and continue to suffer, unacceptable third-party pressures, threats, and offenses to abandon the project.

"This is intolerable under the rule of law and Tribunals have already ruled in favor of the Super League proposal, ordering FIFA and UEFA to, either directly or through their affiliated bodies, refrain from taking any action which may hinder this initiative in any way while court proceedings are pending."

UEFA stood in firm opposition of the Super League, which would have put the future of the Champions League in question, from the outset and threatened to ban players who took part in ESL matches from future FIFA competitions, including the World Cup.

Amid the pressure from UEFA and the clubs' supporters, who lamented the greed from owners of the highest-profile clubs in Europe, the Super League suspended operations after just two days last month.

ESPN reported the maximum punishment for the remaining Super League founding members could be a two-year ban from the Champions League or Europa League.

UEFA didn't provide a timetable for the investigation or a final decision on the cases.

The UK Government is in talks with the Football Association and UEFA about hosting the 2021 Champions League final in England because of concerns about traveling to Turkey.

Turkey has been added to a travel red list for England, meaning anyone who travels there must quarantine for 10 days upon returning.

As a result, the UK Government is open to moving the UEFA Champions League final from the Ataturk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul to England.

A pair of English Premier League teams, Manchester City and Chelsea, are set to square off in the tournament showpiece on May 29.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said the following with regard to the situation, per Paul MacInnes of The Guardian:

"We are having to be cautious about this. I'm afraid we’re having to put Turkey on the red list and it will have ramifications. Fans should not travel to Turkey. The FA are in discussions with UEFA already on this and we are very open to hosting the final.

"Ultimately it's the decision of UEFA. We have a successful track record of matches with spectators. I've spoken to the sport's minister, we're very open to it and in the end it's a decision for UEFA but given it's two English clubs in final we're waiting to hear what they have to say."

Shapps' announcement came on the same day that UEFA was expected to reveal that 8,000 tickets to the UCL final would be allocated to Manchester City and Chelsea fans.

With the UK Government advising fans against traveling to Turkey, however, things are now in flux regarding where the 2021 UEFA Champions League Final will occur.

Manchester City is set to play in its first-ever UEFA Champions League Final, while Chelsea will be appearing for the third time and seeking its second title.

The UEFA Champions League final is set, and it will be an English Premier League affair. 

Chelsea beat Real Madrid 2-0 on Wednesday and 3-1 on aggregate, clinching a spot in the final, where Manchester City awaits. Timo Werner answered his critics by scoring the opener in the first half, while Mason Mount put the matchup to rest with a late goal in the second half. 

Below, we'll break down the day's winners and losers. 

---

Winner: N'Golo Kante

There was brilliance from Chelsea's hard-working midfielder—absolute brilliance. 

N’Golo Kanté’s game by numbers vs. Real Madrid:

100% aerial duels won
45 touches
4 penalty area entries
4 interceptions
4 duels won
3 chances created (most)
2 ball recoveries
1 shot
1 take-on
1 block

Everywhere. 🌍 #UCL pic.twitter.com/bRbQcfppVf

— Squawka (@Squawka) May 5, 2021

If any one player controlled this game, it was Kante, with his work rate, positioning and ability to quickly transition play forward. He had "hockey assists" on each goal, with his brilliant turn on the first propelling the Blues forward:

CHELSEA GET THE BREAKTHROUGH 💥 pic.twitter.com/4CGiQko1hY

— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) May 5, 2021

And it was Kante who played Christian Pulisic into space down the right side of the box for the second, allowing the American star to whip a perfect cross to Mount:

PULISIC. MOUNT. GAME OVER. 💥 pic.twitter.com/8lSODoWeec

— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) May 5, 2021

It's hardly a surprise that the plaudits flowed freely for Kante after the match. 

Really is a joy to watch N'Golo Kante work. Thoroughly outplayed Real Madrid's outstanding midfield throughout the series. He does the work of two players, and makes it look effortless.

Super Soldier Serum Kante is tough to stop. Man City will have its hands full.

— Ives Galarcep (@SoccerByIves) May 5, 2021

N’Golo Kante. Big match player. World class. #CFC

— Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) May 5, 2021

N'Golo Kanté is better than your favorite player.

— Jimmy Conrad (@JimmyConrad) May 5, 2021

Kroos + Modric < Kante

— Jonathan Northcroft (@JNorthcroft) May 5, 2021

He earned every one of them. Chelsea has a number of big-name stars, and the guidance of Thomas Tuchel has changed its season. But don't discount just how important Kante is for this Chelsea side. He's the engine, and the Frenchman fired on all cylinders Wednesday. 

---

Winner: Christian Pulisic

The aforementioned Captain America had a crucial assist with a brilliant pass to Mount. But the late-game substitute is a winner on Wednesday after moving one step closer to making history as potentially the first American to play in a Champions League final:

Christian Pulisic set to become the first US men’s international to play in a UEFA Champions League final. Already the only one to have a goal and now an assist in the Champions League semifinals.

— Subscribe to GrantWahl.com (@GrantWahl) May 5, 2021

Pulisic is the youngest player with a goal and an assist in a single UCL semifinal round since 2010-11 👏

Star ⭐️ pic.twitter.com/FDFHEHMBeB

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) May 5, 2021

Pulisic passing out dimes!!
Chelsea running Real off the park.

— Maximiliano Bretos (@MaxBretosSports) May 5, 2021

Technically speaking, Manchester City backup goalkeeper Zack Steffen could also become the first U.S. player to play in the UCL final. But it's far more likely to be Pulisic.

Given the growing number of United States' players starting or playing at major European clubs, other American players will likely accomplish the feat soon. But it's a major achievement for both U.S. Soccer and Pulisic nonetheless. 

---

Loser: Eden Hazard

Honestly, it's sort of hard to pick out one loser on the day for Real Madrid, who were just thoroughly outplayed by Chelsea. This wasn't really a case of Los Blancos being unprepared or flat; the Blues were just brighter, faster and more creative, a downright stone wall at the back and a buzzsaw in midfield.

But if there was one player who would have particularly wanted to show up big in this matchup, it was former Chelsea man Eden Hazard in his return to Stamford Bridge. And, well, he was mostly invisible. 

Hazard off now, for Mariano. Zidane definitely gave him every chance to do something v old team...

— Dermot Corrigan (@dermotmcorrigan) May 5, 2021

Or as Matt Law of the Telegraph put it, "there were none of the jinking runs, the sudden bursts of pace or the footwork that left defenders struggling to stay on their feet. Rather than looking to embarrass his opponents, as he used to do, Hazard more often than not looked for one of his teammates with a safe pass."

It's been a tough season for Hazard, who has struggled through injuries and not looked great when he's been on the pitch. Real Madrid still has a chance to win the La Liga title, so it may not be a lost season for Hazard. But it hasn't been an easy one. 

---

Winner: Thomas Tuchel

Thomas Tuchel has turned Chelsea's season around, leading the west London club to both the FA Cup and UCL final since taking over midseason. The Blues' disciplined and dominant performance was a reflection of the impact he's had since arriving. 

THIS Chelsea. Thomas Tuchel's Chelsea. What a rapid transformation!

A team that had defensive errors in their DNA have kept clean sheets vs the biggest guns in the PL and in Europe.

Real Madrid were restricted to two shots from inside the box, faced 13https://t.co/1OviAjRBHx

— Melissa Reddy (@MelissaReddy_) May 5, 2021

Aside from that crazy day v West Brom, Chelsea have 18 clean sheets from 23 games under Tuchel, and have scored 30 conceded 5.

City look the best side in the world right now but Chelsea look the hardest to play against. It's some final.

— Jonathan Northcroft (@JNorthcroft) May 5, 2021

At Chelsea, Thomas Tuchel has beaten:

✅ Zinedine Zidane
✅ Pep Guardiola
✅ Jurgen Klopp
✅ José Mourinho
✅ Carlo Ancelotti
✅✅ Diego Simeone

And without conceding a goal against any of them! 👏 pic.twitter.com/M25vNuDS8n

— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) May 5, 2021

Some job by Tuchel.

— Dermot Corrigan (@dermotmcorrigan) May 5, 2021

Hey, there's a reason he's in his second straight UCL final after leading PSG there last season. Tuchel is pressing all the right buttons.

The 2021 Champions League final will be a battle of Premier League rivals.

Mason Mount and Timo Werner both scored to give Chelsea a 2-0 victory over Real Madrid on Wednesday, giving them a 3-1 advantage on the aggregate to advance in their semifinal clash. Chelsea will move on to play Manchester City, which cliched a 4-1 aggregate win over Paris Saint-Germain with a 2-0 triumph Wednesday.

Manchester City will enter the May 29 final in Istanbul as a -195 favorite (bet $195 to win $100) over Chelsea (+155), per DraftKings. Betting Manchester City to win outright in regulation seems like a much stronger option at -106, with the underdog Chelsea coming in at +300 to avoid extra time and win.

Champions League Top Scorers

• 10: Erling Haaland (Borussia Dortmund)
• 8: Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain)
• 6: Neymar (Paris Saint-Germain), Alvaro Morata (Juventus), Mohamed Salah (Liverpool), Olivier Giroud (Chelsea), Youssef En-Nesyri (Sevilla), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Karim Benzema (Real Madrid)
• 5: Alassane Plea (Borussia Monchengladbach), Ciro Immobile (Lazio), Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich), Sergio Oliveira (Porto)

City has dominated the Premier League this season, carrying a 13-point advantage in the table heading into the weekend and a 19-point edge ahead of Chelsea.

That said, Chelsea will come into the final with some level of momentum after scoring a 1-0 victory over Manchester City in their last match April 17 in the FA Cup semifinals. The loss cost City a chance at winning a quadruple, something it will hope to avenge when the two sides make the trip to Turkey.

Chelsea also stands in the way of Manchester City locking up the Premier League. The two clubs are set to play Saturday at the Etihad Stadium in a preview of the UCL final. 

“Definitely for all of us and for the club and I am incredibly proud," manager Pep Guardiola told reporters. "We are in the final of the Champions League. Those are nice words [to say]. Now we will start to enjoy it. We need one step to win the Premier League and we have two or three weeks to prepare for the final." 

Of course, Manchester City has already made history in making it to the final for the first time in club history. The club has had its fair share of UCL disappointments in recent seasons, failing to advance in many cases despite having superior talent.

This is seemingly the year everything has come together for City, but it'll have a familiar foe staring them in the face in a few weeks. 

Chelsea played the spoiler for Bayern Munich in 2012, and history could repeat itself if the Blues can keep the scoring to a minimum. 

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