Kyle Walker apologies to Man City fans after losing out on glory to Chelsea in Champions League final… but full-back insists Pep Guardiola’s side ‘will be back stronger’ for chastening experience in Porto
- Manchester City fell to a 1-0 defeat to Chelsea in the Champions League final
- City struggled as Thomas Tuchel beat Pep Guardiola for a third time this season
- Kyle Walker has reached out to Citizens fans to share his disappointment
Kyle Walker has issued an apology to Manchester City fans after they were made to wait another year for Champions League glory by Chelsea.
The Sky Blues lacked imagination and crumbled against the west Londoners’ organised game plan, as Pep Guardiola‘s gamble to switch-up his tactics backfired on the biggest stage.
Sheikh Mansour began his big bucks transformation of the Citizens in 2008 but the owners’ ultimate goal of Champions League success still evades them. Meanwhile, Chelsea have triumphed twice since the Abu Dhabi royal took over.
Kyle Walker couldn’t make the difference as Manchester City lost the Champions League final
City were powerless to Chelsea’s system, and showed-up lacking their usual imagination
The owners flew 6,000 City fans over to Porto for the final, but they left the stadium disappointed after Kai Havertz’s first-half goal made the difference.
‘We gave everything last night to make our fans proud and I’m sorry it wasn’t enough to bring the trophy home for you,’ Walker wrote on Twitter.
‘We will be back stronger. Thanks for all your support.’
Walker, playing his first Champions League final, wasn’t among City’s worst performers. The former Spurs full-back kept Mason Mount and Ben Chilwell mostly quiet on his side of the pitch.
City fans have to wait yet another year for the Champions League success the club craves
Ilkay Gundogan had a tough night in front of the back-four, struggling to contain the Blues
However, Ilkay Gundogan had a tough night. The midfielder’s position was Guardiola’s biggest tactical gamble, leaving out both Rodri and Fernandinho and asking the German to operate in an unfamiliar holding role.
Chelsea were able to take control in midfield and got joy through the centre of City’s setup, and the 30-year-old was left devastated.
‘It damn sucks to post after a big final defeat, we’ve been so close,’ Gundogan wrote on Twitter.
‘It hurts so much, today even more than yesterday to be honest. But I don’t want to miss the chance to say thank you for all your support throughout the season.’