Belfast: Chelsea bagged their second silverware under coach Thomas Tuchel, thanks to super-sub, Kepa Arrizabalaga’s heroics as he denied Villarreal twice in the penalty shootout during the UEFA Super Cup final at Windsor Park on Wednesday. Chelsea won 6-5.
The match ended in a 1-1 draw after the extra time forcing into a penalty shoot-out. Kepa denied Aissa Mandi and Raul Albiol during the shootout to seal the deal for Chelsea. Although Eduard Mendy started, Tuchel brought in Kepa at the required moment, which proved to be the best decision for the Blues.
“It was certainly not spontaneous,” Tuchel said about the goalkeeper exchange. “We had some statistics, we were well prepared. Kepa is the best percentage in saving penalties. The analysing guys, the goalkeeper coaches showed me the data and then we spoke with the players that this can happen.”
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“And since then they know and it’s fantastic how Edu accepts it. Kepa is better in this discipline and these guys are true team players,” added the former PSG boss. Chelsea had been prolific ever since the start and opened the scoresheet when Hakim Ziyech netted past Sergio Asenjo, from an amazing Kai Havertz cross at the 27th minute.
Although Christian Pulisic came in for Ziyech, the rest of the first half was seemingly uneventful except for Antoine Rüdiger and Tuchel getting booked with a yellow each for the German’s seemingly innocent tackle on Yeremi Pino.
Villareal seemed a lot more enthusiastic since the onset of the second half and Gerard Moreno scored a deserving equalizer in the 75th minute after Boulaye Dia provided him with a sublime back-heel assist.
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Although both the teams pushed to break the lock the tie went on the extra time for the fourth consecutive year. The extra time did not see many chances from either sides except an effort from Mason Mount which Asenjo comfortably turned away.
Tuchel, who was very proud of his boys, stated evidently that his side was deserving of the results. “It was tough, 120 minutes,” said Tuchel. “We were very strong in the first 30-35 minutes and then we lost a bit easy balls after our goal… the equaliser was well-deserved,” Tuchel said.
“Right after we conceded the goal we were very strong again, right until the end.” Chelsea will begin their Premier League campaign on Saturday against Crystal Palace. Tuchel would look forward to getting his hands on the trophy and with the sheer brilliance the team showed, it doesn’t seem unlikely to happen.
