Thomas Tuchel gambled one last time. The ultimate gamble. The biggest one a manager can make with a minute to go in extra time. He changed goalkeepers. And not just any goalkeeper, either. Tuchel played the joker; the goalkeeper whose refusal to stand down for a penalty shoot-out had until now come to define his career at Stamford Bridge. He brought on Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Edouard Mendy had not put a foot wrong. It certainly wasn’t a reflection on his performance on the night. And he did not look displeased, because this was the plan all along and had been discussed as far back as an early FA Cup tie, last season, against Barnsley.
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So it was a change far removed from Arrizabalaga’s tantrum that day at Wembley when he refused to make way for Willy Caballero. He finished a loser in more ways than one that afternoon. Manchester City won and Arrizabalaga was castigated as selfish and vain. No such judgements on Wednesday night. Chelsea had lost their last three UEFA Super Cup finals – and Villarreal were proven penalty specialists.
