Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola insisted that his team competed very well against Chelsea but admitted that one strong counter-attack from Blues duo made the difference.
Guardiola has received quite a lot of criticism for what many claim as unnecessary tinkering in Saturday’s Champions League final defeat to Chelsea.
His decision to field three playmakers in midfield at the expense of defensive midfielders such as Fernandinho or Rodri certainly raised some eyebrows.
Guardiola, however, said that he had done his homework prior to the game and argued that his team was beaten by one Chelsea counter-attack.
“I know the opponents, I know their game against Porto, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid,” Guardiola said his post-match press conference (via DAZN).
“The way we played today, the way we [dominated] in the second half, while they only needed one counter-attack.
“One counter-attack with [Mason Mount — Guardiola actually mistook him for Christian Pulisic in the interview] and [Kai] Havertz, a strong long ball to Havertz, and winning the second balls.
“They are a really good team, but we competed perfectly against them.
“It was a tight game and in the second half we deserved to score one goal but we couldn’t do it.
“So congratulations Chelsea.”
Chronicle view
That counter-attack was the defining moment of the game but certainly not the only big chances that Chelsea created.
Thomas Tuchel’s men actually created three big chances in the game, while Manchester City failed to create one.
Timo Werner missed one big chance prior to Havertz’s goal and Christian Pulisic also missed one in the second half.
You could argue that Chelsea were actually closer to doubling their lead than City were to finding an equaliser.
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