Tuchel and Chelsea warned in startling Champions League final prediction

Thomas Tuchel may have bagged back-to-back wins over Pep Guardiola, but Richard Dunne expects the Manchester City boss will have the last laugh.

Former Manchester City captain Richard Dunne reckons Pep Guardiola hasn’t played his strongest XI against Chelsea yet.

Having ended City’s quadruple dream in the FA Cup semi-finals last month, Thomas Tuchel and Chelsea piled more misery on Guardiola’s side on Saturday by beating them 2-1 in Manchester to stall their Premier League title celebrations.

Hakim Ziyech canceled out Raheem Sterling’s opener by scoring a second-half equalizer after Sergio Aguero’s disastrous Panenka spot-kick cost City a chance to build a two-goal advantage.

Marcos Alonso then scored an injury-time winner to complete a brilliant comeback victory. It made it two wins out of two for Tuchel against Guardiola in England and laid a real marker for the Champions League final on May 29 between the two clubs.

WHAT A COMEBACK. WHAT A WIN!!! 👌#MCICHE pic.twitter.com/y3Z71AOf4M

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) May 8, 2021

But it seems the Blues may have to stay on high alert as Dunne has suggested Guardiola is saving his best for last.

“City have found it difficult to find a way past them, but they’ve not quite put out their best 11 to face them yet,” he told Sky Sports.

“I think you’ll see all the players you expect in a Manchester City line-up for the Champions League [final]. It will be a different occasion.

“I still think when City put out their best 11, they’re the best side in Europe.

“It’s for that reason, I think they will go on and win it.”

But the former Irish defender, who made 349 appearances for City between 2002 and 2009, is very impressed by Tuchel’s impact at Chelsea.

Since taking charge of Chelsea, Thomas Tuchel has beaten
Guardiola (Twice)
Simeone (Twice)
Ancelotti
Klopp
Mourinho
Zidane

💪 pic.twitter.com/MT1x3As38s

— Goal (@goal) May 8, 2021

The German has led the club up to third place in the Premier League, into the FA Cup final, and the Champions League final since replacing Frank Lampard as manager back in January.

“I think the way Chelsea have performed since Tuchel has come in has been brilliant. They’ve looked really solid, looked dangerous,” said Dunne.

“When you watch them, they look like a side that’s certainly going to challenge for the Premier League next season, but also have sights on winning big trophies this year.”