Chelsea’s interim head coach, Calum McFarlane, has been reflecting on the lessons learned from their previous encounter with Manchester City. It was against City at the start of this year that McFarlane took charge of Chelsea for the first time.
That game resulted in a 1-1 draw at the Etihad Stadium, a match from which positives were gleaned.
Learning from Guardiola: The First Encounter
McFarlane faced Pep Guardiola in his first game in senior management, describing it as a steep learning curve. Chelsea improved as the contest went on, with tactical changes being implemented.
‘I remember that game vividly and it was a really good learning experience,’ said McFarlane in the build-up to today’s FA Cup final.
The Chelsea interim head coach said, ‘The first half was tough; we got the prep wrong, and they had a lot of control. We didn’t want the game to look the way it did. We had to suffer. We had to run. We had to defend our box really well.’
According to McFarlane, changes were made in the second half to try and shift the momentum and be a bit more aggressive and get a bit more territory, and it worked in some elements. ‘We got a foothold in the game. But they’re a top side. They can punish you at any moment.’
McFarlane said, ‘It was a good second-half performance, and I thought it was more down to the players than myself. You can give them ideas, you can give them instructions, but there’s moments it’s going to go wrong in the game.’
‘The fight that we showed in that game, we worked so hard to get that point. I was really pleased at the end – when Malo [Gusto] puts the cross in and Enzo tucks it away – that the players got their rewards for the fight they showed in the second half.’
Preparation and Confidence
McFarlane and his staff have watched that game along with plenty of others involving Manchester City, such as the more recent defeat we suffered at Stamford Bridge.
McFarlane maintains an unshaken faith in his side to deliver when it matters.
He hopes the draws at City and Liverpool, as well as the semi-final success over Leeds he oversaw, can set the blueprint for victory this afternoon.
Faith in the Team
‘I’m confident in this group,’ said McFarlane. ‘We have got top players – you saw that on Saturday when we played against Liverpool.’
- Chelsea drew with Manchester City earlier in the year.
- McFarlane learned lessons from the game against Pep Guardiola.
- McFarlane is confident in his team.
‘There are a lot of things about this team and the players that give you confidence. It’s not just taken from one game.’