The two finalist clubs of the Champions League each have objectives in addition to the European coronation: the Premier League title for Pep, an FA Cup and a qualifying place for the C1 for Tuchel.
Nevertheless, the time of a closely watched match, Chelsea and Manchester City will do battle in the context of the 35th day of the Premier League.
Two titles at stake for Pep
Almost guaranteed to be Premier League champion with his 13 points ahead of the second, his great rival Manchester United, the Citizens approach the meeting with a view to repeating their ranges before the Champions League final. Even if they could be sacred from this Saturday night, if they win against Chelsea. Earlier in the season, Pep Guardiola's players lost 1-0 in the FA Cup semi-finals in a very closed game. This umpteenth confrontation gives the Catalan the opportunity to make up for it since a victory for City would also make it possible to strike a big blow before the final.
In a press conference this Friday, Pep Guardiola nevertheless assured that it was too early for this match to have an impact on the Champions League final: "If we played the final in a week, six days, maybe that could have an impact, but 21 or 22 days ago.
Lots of things can happen. ”
The Catalan coach wants to win the Premier League above all, before focusing on the match in Istanbul.
Pep must nevertheless keep in mind this C1 final, the first with Manchester City since his arrival, and his first 10 years after his coronation with FC Barcelona at Wembley.
Tuchel dreams of the final
The only coach to reach the Champions League final twice in a row with two different teams, Thomas Tuchel has other national goals in addition: "Chelsea must try to win the FA Cup, the Champions League, and the top 4, we will keep our feet on the ground, nothing is won yet, the club is made to win the finals, not just to participate. " Since his arrival at Chelsea, the German coach has been walking on water: 16 wins, 6 draws and 2 losses in 23 games. His team did not concede any goal against Manchester City, and Tuchel intends to make this stat 'last this Saturday and until May 29.
At a press conference, Tuchel applauds the work of Pep Guardiola who turns his teams into “winning machines” and says he is very happy to be able to face him in the final.
He also admits that his team will have to work well to win against City: “Obviously, the gap is big.
It is up to us, as in the semi-finals (of the FA Cup), to close this gap for 90 minutes.
We will do the same in the final and we will come to this final full of confidence because we feel that we deserved to be there, we worked hard to be there. ”
With one day off less than Manchester City, the German technician plans to play less stressed players, specifying that the starting XI of this Saturday will not necessarily be the one who will play the final in three weeks.
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