Super Cup Final | Chelsea vs Villarreal ~ Match Preview & Lineup
⭕ Chelsea XI: Mendy, Chalobah, Zouma, Rudiger, Hudson-Odoi, Kante (C), Kovacic, Alonso, Ziyech, Havertz, Werner
👥 Bench: Arrizabalaga, Silva, Christensen, Azpilicueta, James, Chilwell, Emerson, Loftus-Cheek, Mount, Jorginho, Pulisic, Abraham
⭕ Villarreal XI : Asenjo, Foyth, Albiol, Pau Torres, Pedraza, Trigueros, Capoue, Moreno, Pino, Dia, Moreno.
👥 Bench: Rulli, Mario Gaspar, Pena, Mandi, Cuenca, Estupinan, Morlanes, Moi Gomez, Iborra, Raba, Paco Alcacer, Nino
Chelsea vs Villarreal prediction, The European curtain opener takes place at Windsor Park in Belfast on Thursday 12 August 2021 at 12:30 IST, as Chelsea and Villarreal battle it out in the UEFA Super Cup Thomas Tuchel guided the Blues to Champions League glory last season, while Europa League series winner Unai Emery pulled off his old tricks in the continent's secondary competition.
Sevilla, Porto, Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid were all no match for Tuchel's Chelsea side in last season's Champions League, but the West London side travel to the Estadio do Dragao for the final against Manchester City.
However, Pep Guardiola's gamble paid off – although an unfortunate injury to Kevin De Bruyne didn't help matters either – as Kai Havertz's 42nd-minute goal completed the contest to see Chelsea conquer Europe's elite competition for the second time in nine years.
A new contract until 2024 awaits Tuchel upon his return to Stamford Bridge as the former Paris Saint-Germain coach fulfills Chelsea's dream of European glory after just a season and a half in charge and his Blues side navigate their pre-season period without suffering a single defeat.
That run includes a 2-1 win over Arsenal and a 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur in the Thoughts Series, although they will be frustrated to throw away a two-goal lead in the last draw, while Bournemouth and Peterborough United also lost to Chelsea. superiority.
Tuchel's men have become renowned for their defensive determination, so it is something of a surprise to see Chelsea fail to keep a clean sheet in any of their pre-season games, and their last three meetings in the UEFA Super Cup have seen them lose to Atletico. Madrid, Bayern Munich and Liverpool since 2012.
Emery's attempts to bring European trophies and Champions League football back to Arsenal ended in failure, but the Gunners were one of the Yellow Submarine's many victims during a dominant Europa League campaign.
After picking up 16 points from 18 in the group stage, Villarreal beat Red Bull Salzburg, Dynamo Kiev, Dinamo Zagreb and Arsenal to set up a tense final encounter with Manchester United, where 21 penalties would have been converted before David de Gea's mistake handed Emery. fourth Europa League title.
However, Villarreal's pre-season period was truly a forgotten affair, as Emery's side failed to win any of their six exhibition meetings, the last being a loss to Leicester City and a draw with Leeds United during a brief tour of England.
With the 2020-21 Europa League representing their first major trophy, Villarreal will be making their debut in this year's Super Cup, but a win for the Yellow Submarine would see them become the sixth distinct Spanish team to win the competition, surpassing England - which they currently share. a record with five each – and Emery's men are unbeaten in their last 15 continental fixtures.
Wednesday's battle in Belfast also marks the first time Chelsea and Villarreal have clashed in a competitive match, and while lifting the Super Cup may not be the most coveted prize, there is hardly a better way to start the game. season compared to some European silver.
Emery said he expects to face a weak Chelsea side this week, with neither Mason Mount, Thiago Silva, Cesar Azpilicueta or Jorginho taking part in their team's pre-season clash.
However, international finalists Chelsea have been named in the provisional squad of 26 players, but there is no room for Trevoh Chalobah, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Ross Barkley, Davide Zappacosta and Tiemoue Bakayoko in the traveling party.
Chelsea are understood to be close to a £97.5m deal to bring Romelu Lukaku back to the club, and he could still be involved if he signs and is registered by Tuesday's 11pm deadline.
Villarreal's summer saga has mainly been in defence, with Juan Foyth and Aissa Mandi both joining the club on permanent deals while Manchester United-linked Pau Torres - who represented Spain at the Olympics - remains on the books.
Vibrant winger Samuel Chukwueze picked up a season-ending hip injury against Arsenal in last year's Europa League semi-final, but he has returned to training and is in the squad for this clash, although Dani Parejo is likely to be sidelined after picking up the injury. calf problem.
Vibrant winger Samuel Chukwueze picked up a season-ending hip injury against Arsenal in last year's Europa League semi-final, but he has returned to training and is in the squad for this clash, although Dani Parejo is likely to be sidelined after picking up the injury. calf problem.
Striker Fer Nino has come under fire for his tackle on Wesley Fofana - which left the Leicester player with a fractured calf - while Gerard Moreno is looking to continue where he left off after scoring seven Europa League goals last season.
Recent COVID-19 fears have also drained Emery's ranks in training, and it remains to be seen whether Etienne Capoue, Francis Coquelin, Geronimo Rulli and Vicente Iborra will fly to Northern Ireland.
🔺 Chelsea vs Villarreal Lineup Prediction
⭕ Chelsea: Mendy; Azpilicueta, Zouma, Rudiger; Hudson-Odoi, Kovacic, Kante, Alonso; Ziyech, Werner; Havertz
⭕ Villarreal: Asenjo; Gaspar, Foyth, Albiol, Pedraza; Yeremy, Morlanes, Trigueros, Dia; Moreno, Alcacer
✅Predicted Score Chelsea vs Villarreal: 2-1