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Three things to look for in Carabao Cup final: System switches

By Vansh Ambashta

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 19: Hakim Ziyech of Chelsea FC celebrates scoring a goal which is later disallowed during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Chelsea at Selhurst Park on February 19, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Chloe Knott - Danehouse/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 19: Hakim Ziyech of Chelsea FC celebrates scoring a goal which is later disallowed during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Chelsea at Selhurst Park on February 19, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Chloe Knott - Danehouse/Getty Images) /
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Chelsea’s German head coach Thomas Tuchel looks on during the English Premier League football match between Brighton and Hove Albion and Chelsea at the American Express Community Stadium in Brighton, southern England on January 18, 2022. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)
Chelsea’s German head coach Thomas Tuchel looks on during the English Premier League football match between Brighton and Hove Albion and Chelsea at the American Express Community Stadium in Brighton, southern England on January 18, 2022. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images) /

3. Thomas Tuchel vs Jurgen Klopp

Two of the best coaches on the planet will battle it out on Sunday to see who will lift the Carabao Cup for the 2021/22 campaign. Liverpool last won the competition in the 2011/12 season, while Chelsea last won it in the 2014/15 season. Both managers will be looking forward to getting their hands on some silverware this season given the high expectations put on them before the year. Chelsea’s Premier League bid has fizzled out after an energetic start due to some flat performances and a few external factors—like COVID and unfortunate injuries to key players. However, the Reds are back in the thick of the title race, just three points off Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table.

Lifting the EFL Cup could be a massive boost to Tuchel’s season as the Blues look to secure a top four finish, continue to do well in the Champions League and capture numerous trophies (the Blues have already won a pair of them). On the other hand, Klopp would love to win the final as this is one of the trophies he hasn’t won in his successful tenure at Anfield. It will be interesting to see how the two German masterminds approach the match.

Liverpool’s attack is in prime form and it is coming off a 6-0 victory against Leeds United. Meanwhile, the Blues will enter the final on the back of a 2-0 win against Lille in the UCL Round of 16 first leg. That scoreline may look comfortable, but there were many concerns for Chelsea in the game. Tuchel was clearly frustrated with some of his players and the Blues’ midfield was getting overrun at one point. Moreover, he faces a selection dilemma as it is still unclear which forwards are good enough to start regularly for Chelsea.

Tuchel and Klopp will go head to head in the Carabao Cup final and it will be truly intriguing to witness this tactical battle. Small margins tend to decide the outcome of such high profile clashes, and it will probably take a mistake from someone to open the scoring. Will it be the Blues’ stubborn back line or the Reds’ electric attack that gets the victory in the end?

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What are some of the things you’ll be looking for in the EFL Cup final? Let us know your thoughts in the comments or on Twitter!

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