WHO IS MC F ARLANE ?
Comparing Chelsea manager Calum McFarlane and Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola ahead of tonight's FA Cup final (9 PM, May 16th) is certainly an unfair comparison. Guardiola is considered the most famous manager in the world . On the other hand, it's difficult to introduce McFarlane, simply because he has never been a head coach at the highest level of football. People will ask "Who is McFarlane?" instead of asking what significant achievements he has accomplished. This is the second time this season that Calum McFarlane has managed Chelsea as interim manager. The first was just one week after Chelsea sacked Enzo Maresca. This time it's been since the end of April, after Chelsea sacked Liam Rosenior.
At 40 years old, McFarlane has never played top-level football, nor has he ever been a head coach. He has only been an assistant coach at a few amateur clubs and worked with the youth teams of Manchester City and Southampton. Now, McFarlane is leading Chelsea in the FA Cup match against Manchester City – a team determined to win all three domestic competitions in England (FA Cup, Premier League, League Cup). If Chelsea beat Chelsea in this match, Guardiola will have his 17th title with Manchester City (not including the Community Shield), and will also continue to compete for the Premier League title with Arsenal.
Chelsea (left) are desperate to win the FA Cup to salvage a disappointing season.
PHOTO: AFP
In any case, McFarlane has specific experience in dealing with Man City. In his first interim match, he led Chelsea to a 1-1 draw at Man City in the Premier League. McFarlane's most recent match didn't seem too disappointing either (a 1-1 draw at Liverpool in the Premier League). In the semi-finals, Chelsea beat Leeds 1-0, and that was McFarlane's first match in this second "emergency" period. Chelsea fans can rest assured that at least McFarlane's team has overcome a Premier League-level opponent. All of Chelsea's previous opponents in this year's FA Cup have been lower-level teams.
Even Champions League teams can win, let alone the FA Cup .
For the past eight seasons, the FA Cup final has always featured either Chelsea or Manchester City. Oddly, they haven't faced each other in those eight matches. There are two contrasting records: Chelsea is the first team in history to lose three consecutive FA Cup finals (2020, 2021, 2022). Manchester City is the first team in history to appear four consecutive FA Cup finals (including this season's final). However, in their last two finals, Manchester City suffered unexpected defeats (against Manchester United and Crystal Palace).
Chelsea have won the most prestigious club competition in the world – the Champions League – twice. Both victories have special details that Chelsea fans can connect to tonight's FA Cup final (and hope for success). In the 2011-2012 season, Chelsea sacked manager Andre Villas-Boas, and Roberto Di Matteo took over as interim manager. He unexpectedly led Chelsea to both the Champions League and the FA Cup titles. In the 2020-2021 season, Thomas Tuchel's Chelsea beat Manchester City three times in the final six weeks of the season across three different competitions. Most importantly, of course, was the victory over Manchester City in the Champions League final. Tuchel had only just arrived mid-season, the only difference being that he was already the head coach.
Man City played better and had a stronger squad. The problem is they may be affected by the Premier League title race with Arsenal, having to play six matches in 21 days, making it difficult to maintain optimal focus, both mentally and in terms of form and personnel. Just three days after the FA Cup final, Man City will have to battle Bournemouth – a team vying for a Champions League spot. Chelsea's situation is clear: this is their final crucial match, deciding the entire season. They are practically doomed, if not in a state of collapse and crisis. However, everything could be salvaged if Chelsea win and lift the FA Cup.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/chung-ket-cup-fa-cho-doi-con-dia-chan-tai-wembley-185260515222923503.htm
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