Man City vs Chelsea: The UCL final broken down by statistics

Chelsea's Spanish defender Cesar Azpilicueta (L) vies with Manchester City's Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus (R) during the English FA Cup semi-final football match between Chelsea and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium in north west London on April 17, 2021. - - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Adam Davy / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by ADAM DAVY/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /

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LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 23: Thiago Silva of Chelsea looks on during the Carabao Cup third round match between Chelsea and Barnsley at Stamford Bridge on September 23, 2020 in London, England. Football Stadiums around United Kingdom remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Neil Hall – Pool/Getty Images) /

2. Thiago Silva vs. Ruben Dias

There is one similarity between Thiago Silva and Ruben Dias: they both signed in the summer and completely changed their team’s defensive mindsets. With Dias, Guardiola has a stable defence and relied upon him every week in the Champions League and the Premier League. Similarly, in Silva, Chelsea found a leader and an experienced centerback who could calm the volatile back line.

Silva and Dias have crazy numbers this season. Due to an injury, Silva did miss a good chunk of the season, but managed to start 28 times nonetheless. Dias was a constant feature in Guardiola’s teamsheet and started 44 times this season. What is fascinating is that both these defenders have brilliant—yet similar—defensive statistics.

Silva came in and instantly organised Chelsea’s back line. It looked more reassured and confident with the Brazilian at heart. While Silva doesn’t have the pace anymore, he has made up for it with his immaculate game awareness. He has constantly stopped budding attacks with tackles and clearances. He averages 3.1 clearances per game in the Champions League and 0.9 tackles. Silva’s composure on the ball has also helped in playing out from the back and beating the press, that is a skill that will be useful against Man City.

Thanks to @WhoScored for these awesome H2H graphics ahead of the #UCLFinal (2/5) pic.twitter.com/Fe3kmd4oJU
— The Pride of London (@PrideOLondon) May 29, 2021

Dias was an expensive signing, and he justified his price tag this season. The centerback is an accurate passer of the ball and knows how to play as the last man. While some may call it “last-ditch defending,” Dias has been spot on with his tackles in and around the box, and he has protected his goalkeeper very well. He has lesser clearances than Silva with an average of two in the Champions League, but has a higher number of tackles with 1.3 per game. What makes Dias different from most other defenders is that he has been performing consistently throughout the season. The 24-year-old has slowly become the first name on City’s line-up, and that is a huge compliment for someone who has just moved to a new league.

The match-up should be fascinating as two contrasting, yet similar, centerbacks take on one another. Both will be crucial in the game as both teams will probably look to approach the game cautiously in the opening stages. Any defensive mishaps can change the narrative early on.

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