Chelsea has won the UEFA Super Cup after beating Europa League winners Villarreal on penalties in Belfast after Tuchel gambled and substituted Kepa Arrizabalaga on for Edouard Mendy ahead of the penalty shootout
Thomas Tuchel gambled one last time; the ultimate gamble. The biggest one a manager can make with a minute to go in extra time. He switched goalkeepers and brought on Kepa Arrizabalaga for Edouard Mendy who did not look displeased.
This was a big call, in a big match. However, Arrizabalaga did not disappoint as he produced two big saves in the shootout.
Match Review
Hakim Ziyech made Chelsea’s first-half dominance count when he slotted home Kai Havertz’s cross.
However, the Blues were unable to add to their total which allowed Villarreal to come out a different prospect after half-time.
Whatever Unai Emery said in the dressing room clearly had an effect and the Europa League winners bossed the second period, deservedly drawing level when Roberto Moreno calmly slotted home.
His strike sent the contest into extra-time, where Christian Pulisic missed a huge opportunity to win it for the Blues.
It is at this point Thomas Tuchel sprang a surprise, and made a bold move that could have easily backfired resulting to defeat. The manager brought on Kepa Arrizabalaga from the bench in the final moments, and the Spaniard saved two spot kicks, one in sudden death from Raul Albiol, as the Blues triumphed with Kepa enjoying the limelight after what has been a difficult few year.
This was a triumph for Tuchel, too. A bold move that could easily have backfired in defeat. Had Chelsea lost Tuchel would have been accused of undermining his number one, Mendy, of disrupting unnecessarily. Yet here was a manager taking control.
Followers of Manchester United will be reminded that in similar circumstances and with David De Gea between the posts, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer did not change, despite the Spaniard’s dismal record against penalties. That criticism seemed harsh on Solskjaer at the time. Switching goalkeepers is still a maverick move. Yet it did not look so on Wednesday night as Chelsea paraded their trophy and danced.