Julián Álvarez’s Manchester City was imposed this Saturday over the Chelsea by Enzo Fernandez by 1 to 0 and reached the final of the FA Cup, in a vibrant spectacle at Wembley, the home of football. The world champions started and had outstanding performances, in a fast-paced match, one of the best that can be enjoyed in world football.
The winner of this key will face the winner of Manchester United-Coventry City, which will be played this Sunday, at 11:30 in our country. Of course yes: there can be definition to pure Manchester. The winning goal was scored by Bernardo Silva, a kind of villain turned hero. The Portuguese had an unfortunate shot in the midweek penalty shootout against Real Madrid, which marked City’s elimination in the Champions League quarterfinals. The blow was very hard.
The wear was noticeable. In the game, in the heart, physically, since there were 120 minutes of high tension against the White House. Silva had kicked meekly, saved by Andriy Lunin. This time, he saw the gap and fired. A left footed shot that is much more than a goal towards the final. It’s a message.
The City coach, Pep Guardiolaleaned towards Julián from the start instead of Erling Haalandwith a tear suffered in the elimination on penalties against Real Madrid, for the quarterfinals of the Champions League. Haaland had already missed more than a month between December and January due to foot discomfort.
“We put a lot of pressure with our style of play and that is why there is fatigue. They are human beings, not machines. “We are used to this,” said the Spaniard. The elimination against Madrid put an end to City’s aspirations of achieving trebles in consecutive seasons, after winning the Premier League, the Champions League and the FA Cup last year.
In Chelsea, there is also concern. And in projection, in the Argentine team. Last December it was learned that Enzo Fernández had a beginning pubalgia. Recovery usually involves long intervals of rest and various treatments. In some cases, an operation. In this, it may imply that the world champion midfielder in Qatar 2022 misses the America Cup United States 2026which will start next Thursday, June 20.
The midfielder must make a decision that may affect his future. Pubalgia produces a treacherous discomfort, which usually affects performance several times in a season. Pochettino, convinced that he is an indispensable piece in the midfield, placed him as a starter. He fought, he did what he could. He didn’t reach it.
The match had the expected tone: Manchester City with everything on the attack, Chelsea with the decision of quick exits, against the wrong leg. Julián was incisive in the final meters, with the decision to be the first defender like in the good old days with Marcelo Gallardo in River and, Enzo, in the same nostalgic tune in a millionaire key, sought to be the center of the game and the distribution in the middle zone.
A lot of tension, a lot of adrenaline in the Football Cathedral. During the first stretch, City were stronger and better, with no trace of the blow suffered during the week. Álvarez played with determination, Fernández with some doubts (physical and tactical). The man from Córdoba felt comfortable in the square made up of De Bruyne, Foden and Grealish. From time to time, total football.
In any case, despite the fact that the light blue team was superior and was able to break through through Bernardo Silva and an attack by Álvarez, Chelsea had the best situation. Cole Palmer, the 21-year-old striker who had no place according to Guardiola’s clinical eye, almost opened the scoring in the former’s inexorable law. On a tile, Flaco created a fantasy in the area, but the left foot shot was low, predictable for the hands of Stefan Ortega.
A certain physical tension was noticeable in City, who lost on penalties during the week, after demanding 120 minutes. Chelsea took note of the detail and balanced the balance at the end of the first half, a goalless but truly vibrant spectacle.
The second chapter began with something new: Guardiola decided to make a modification, something that does not usually happen. And much less at halftime. Obviously, physical exhaustion was decisive in his drastic decision. Rúben Dias came on for John Stones, but the tactical play did not go so well, as Chelsea had two real dangerous situations, well resolved by Stefan Ortega, the 31-year-old goalkeeper who replaced Ederson, on the substitute bench.
On both occasions, the goalkeeper held City’s defense against the momentum of Nicolas Jackson, a lion in the area, but with limited clarity. After a while, Chelsea effusively claimed a handball from Grealish, after a Palmer free kick. Pochettino jumped off the bench, fired. The VAR validated Michael Oliver’s decision. Go on go on…
The match gained in intensity, but the game declined. Chelsea moved forward a few meters, City continued in low battery mode, without the presence of other nights. An even show, without spark, but with very high tension.
Dorde Petrovic, Chelsea’s goalkeeper, also kept a clean sheet, with two phenomenal saves. The game is at its best. Grealish left, injured, Jeremy Doku entered, more incisive than ever. He never stopped the momentum of attack-defense. But there was a lack of creativity and clarity in the final meters. Until ten minutes from the end, Bernardo Silva ends the suspense with a barbaric kick, puts City ahead and ends with some murmurs, due to the way in which he kicked the penalty during the week against Real Madrid, in the failed definition for the quarterfinals. of the Champions League.
The turns of life. And football. Bernardo Silva touched his heart at the celebration. And Pep celebrated in style, as if it were the final of a World Cup. With desire, with strength. As it should be.