Victory against Villarreal: Tuchel also wins the Supercup with Chelsea

Status: 1:43 a.m.| Reading time: 4 minutes

Thomas Tuchel grabbed his match winner and first gave him a big kiss on the cheek. Thanks to goalkeeper Kepa, who was only substituted for the penalty shoot-out, Chelsea FC also won the European Supercup after the Champions League. With the three national players Kai Havertz, Timo Werner and Antonio Rüdiger, the Blues prevailed on Wednesday evening in Belfast against Villarreal in the decision from the point 6: 5. After 120 minutes it was 1: 1 (1: 1, 1: 0).

“It wasn’t spontaneous,” said Tuchel about the change from Édouard Mendy to Kepa shortly before the end. “We were well prepared and had the statistics that Kepa is the best at holding penalties. The analysts showed me the data – and we talked to the players that this can happen in knockout games. It’s fantastic how Edou (Mendy) has accepted that. “

Havertz missed the first penalty for Chelsea, but then Kepa stopped two attempts by the opponent. After Jürgen Klopp (FC Liverpool) and Hansi Flick (FC Bayern), Tuchel was the third German coach in a row to celebrate victory in the traditional competition of the European Cup winners.

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The Europa League winner from Spain had increased enormously in the second half – but then no luck against the Londoners, who will soon be strengthened for millions. Hakim Ziyech (27.) took the lead after preliminary work by Harvertz. Gerard Moreno (73.) made his goal for the extra layer in Northern Ireland. His trainer Unai Emery also missed winning the silver Supercup on the third attempt.

From the beginning, Tuchel relied on his three German professionals

Like 74 days before in the final of the premier class against Manchester City, Tuchel relied on his three German professionals, who had experienced a disappointing European championship, from the start. Werner checked Villarreal’s goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo early on after a corner from standing (6th). Chelsea were clearly the better team in the initial phase in front of 13,000 spectators, N’Golo Kanté, who played as captain, forced Asenjo to make a save with a long shot (9th). On the sidelines, Tuchel applauded vigorously.

There was initially no news on the spectacular return of Belgian international Romelu Lukaku to the blues on Wednesday evening. The 28-year-old striker should come from Inter Milan for 115 million euros – and should dispute Werner’s place in the storm center. However, the 25-year-old German can also use the wings.

In Belfast the left side was occupied again by Havertz, who wonderfully prepared the opening goal through Ziyech playing on the right side. Tuchel clenched his fist with a grin – Emery was raging in his coaching zone. The “Mr. Europa League “baptized Spaniard celebrated his fourth title in the smaller European Cup with a final win on penalties against Manchester United.

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Villarreal was far from winning the Supercup immediately after falling behind. The “yellow submarine”, as the club is called, increased the longer the game played and had really good chances before equalizing with two post shots (45th + 4 and 52nd). “If there was someone in the dressing room who underestimated you, I would be surprised – and angry,” Tuchel said shortly before kick-off.

The former Bundesliga coach had to watch worryingly as Ziyech was replaced in the 43rd minute with an injury to his shoulder. Shortly afterwards, Rüdiger saw a yellow card after a foul – as did Tuchel, who, in the opinion of referee Sergej Karassjow, complained too much (45th + 1).

Havertz only hit the side net shortly after the restart (48th), Villarreal made the game more and more open. Tuchel reacted with a triple change and brought, among other things, the Italian European champion Jorginho into the game (65th). Werner left for Mason Mount. It didn’t help much – on the contrary: After a bad pass from Rüdiger, Villarreal combined in the direction of the Blues goal and Moreno scored the well-deserved equalizer. The extra time became a nerve game.