ROMAN ABRAMOVICH DELIGHTED WITH CHELSEA’s SECOND CHAMPIONS LEAGUE TROPHY

Chelsea won for the second time European football biggest prize in Porto, Saturday, with the club owner Roman Abramovich present at the Estadio do Dragao to congratulate his players after winning the Champions League.

The Russian flew into Porto a night before the game as he was obviously a nervous spectator considering that his team has been rated the under- dog to the final against English Premier League Champion, Manchester City.

The game started with Chelsea settling to curtail the pressure from the City’s attack, especially from the flanks where Sterling and Riyad Mahrez operated from but Chelsea right full-back Reece James and left full-back Ben Chilwell were equal to the tasks.

With Guardiola shockingly opted to go without Rodri or Fernandinho against most pundits’ prediction in possible starting eleven. Iikay Gundogan was forced to play the holding role. In the field, the tactics obviously showed that Chelsea needed to sit back to reorganize their game as N’golo Kante marshalled the defensive midfield. He made major tackles without committing fouls, keeping the opponent away from the danger zone and decently kept the tempo of the game under control.

German international Kai Havertz settled the contest with a first half goal, beating City’s goalkeeper having collected a long range ball setting him up for a counter attack. The Blues lifted the trophy with the referee’s final whistle after the 7 minutes added time.

Club owner Abramovich who was at the stadium expressed his appreciation to the players having been asked how happy he was by the Spaniard international and Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta.

“Yea, of course. Absolutely” Abramovic said, according to Chelsea in-house media.   

German born and Chelsea coach Thomas Tuchei who was meeting the club owner Roman Abramovic for the first time after the game in Porto, said.

‘I can assure him I’ll stay hungry, that I want the next title, I feel absolutely happy and part of a really ambitious club and a strong group that suits my beliefs and passions about football in this moment perfectly.

“My desire is go for more victories, my desire is to push the group from the first day of the season to the limit. We have to work close the gap and this is what I am all about.

“I will be nice to meet him a bit closer. We are in contact, not personal, but we are in constant contact. He knows what’s going on from me directly. It was nice to meet him.”

The German was born 1973 and he is regarded as one of the best managers in the world. The Champions League trophy is the first for the 47 year-old as a coach in the European elite club competition.