Chelsea surprisingly wins the third Champions League final in its history, always with the same common denominator
The football literature is full of theories and examples on the subject, but there is no doubt that the recurring fate of the Chelsea in Champions League is aimed at highlighting an unavoidable factor. Why “one coincidence is just a coincidence, two coincidences are a clue, three coincidences are a proof”.
Agatha Christie’s famous investigative aphorism can be peacefully dusted off thanks to the classic third clue that proves it. The Blues arrive for the third time in the Champions League final, once again after changing coaches over the course of the season.
In September 2007 Abramovich exonerated the new Giallorossi Josè Mourinho to assign the bench to the semi-unknown Avram Grant, until then Technical Director. The feat accomplished by the Israeli coach only came to a halt on May 21, 2008 with that slip of Terry from the spot that revived Manchester United, on the continental throne after Anelka’s last mistake from eleven meters.
In March 2012, however, the path of Andrè Villas Boas was interrupted by opening the doors of the control cabin a Roberto Di Matteo. The Italian-Swiss, centimeter by centimeter, hoisted himself up to that 19 May: in the magical night of the Allianz Arena Didier Drogba “Wonderfully, incredibly” pinned Bayern in front of their fans.
Coming to the most recent days, a cold day at the end of January was fatal to Frank Lampard, exonerated to make way for the new management. Thomas Tuchel, just a few weeks earlier on foot from Paris Saint Germain. Sliding doors from movies for the German coach, very good at restoring confidence and security to a young group but with immense potential.
And so also the Real Madrid of the (almost) infallible Zidane had to bow to the breaks of Edge, at the parades of Mendy, to the very fresh talent of Werner e Havertz, of Mount e Pulisic. Destination Istanbul for the Blues, with the whole third final on the horizon “made in England” in the history of the Champions League: after the aforementioned United-Chelsea in 2008 and the Liverpool-Tottenham in 2019, here is the challenge at Guardiola’s City. Surprising, but certainly right as much as admired in the knockout path.
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