Thomas Tuchel was the last Chelsea manager to beat Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City.
Chelsea’s interim boss Calum McFarlane will now be looking to replicate the German this Saturday when his side take on City in the FA Cup final.
Back in the 2020/21 season, Tuchel got the better of Guardiola on three occasions, including the Champions League final.
The last Chelsea side to beat Manchester City! 🔥
A Champions League-winning team 🏆
Chelsea XI vs City in 2021
After the full-time whistle on that glorious night for Chelsea, the 52-year-old explained what his team did to beat City and become European champions for the second time in the club’s history.
Tuchel’s instructions were simple: be brave and counter-attack. That is exactly what Chelsea did, with Kai Havertz’s goal coming while City had half of their team in the Blues’ end of the pitch.
Speaking to TNT Sports after the game, Tuchel said: “We wanted to be a stone in their shoe. We encouraged everybody to step up and step out, to be more brave and create dangerous counter-attacks.”
Since then, Chelsea have not beaten City in any competition. They are currently on a run of 13 games without a win against their upcoming opponents.
Following their Champions League final triumph in 2021, Chelsea lost six consecutive matches versus City, showing how much they have struggled against Guardiola’s side.
It shows just how difficult the task at hand will be for McFarlane and his men on Saturday.
Who could be our Kai Havertz in the FA Cup final?
Thomas Tuchel says you have to create counter-attacking situations to beat Manchester City
Cole Palmer could be the perfect counter-attacking weapon at Wembley
If transitions and counter-attacks really are the key to beating City, Cole Palmer’s performance could be the difference between victory and defeat for Chelsea.
Palmer is not the fastest player, but what he lacks in pace he makes up for with technical ability.
The attacking midfielder is one of the best passers in the Premier League and his decision-making is usually spot on. It means in a counter-attacking situation, you would back Palmer to identify the right teammate to give the ball to before successfully executing the pass.
That is what Chelsea will need the England international to do at Wembley. And if he can do so on at least a couple of occasions, with Joao Pedro leading the attack, McFarlane’s men may be able to score.
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