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      Kevin De Bruyne leaves pitch in tears after sickening clash with Antonio Rudiger gives him black eye

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      KEVIN DE BRUYNE was in tears as a black eye ended his Champions League final after a grim clash with Antonio Rudiger in Chelsea’s 1-0 win.Star playmaker KDB soon headed down the tunnel after being helped off and replaced by Gabriel Jesus on the hour in Porto.
      Man City boss Pep Guardiola tries to console injury victim Kevin De BruyneCredit: Getty
      Players on both sides show immediate concern after Man City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne and Chelsea centre-back Antonio Rudiger slump after collidingCredit: Reuters
      De Bruyne’s eye soon blackened after the painful thudCredit: pixel8000
      The midfielder departed gingerly and stooped over seemingly in pain and despair as boss Pep Guardiola consoled him.
      Chelsea were deservedly holding onto Kai Havertz’s 42nd counter-attacking finish, following Mason Mount’s delightful through-pass.
      And City’s mood dipped even further when KDB was the victim of a heavy challenge from Rudiger that earned the Germany centre-back a booking.
      City’s medical staff dashed on, while team-mate Kyle Walker remained kneeling beside De Bruyne throughout the time the Belgian was down being treated.
      The way KDB kept his head down as City officials put their hands around him, and especially the fact he then went down the tunnel, sparked early Euro 2020 fitness fears.
      Fans on social media were gutted for De Bruyne, although some suggested his display had been well below par.
      And City’s anguish was confirmed as Stamford Bridge chief Thomas Tuchel’s masterly tactics kept them out, including for seven minutes of stoppage time.
      City’s medical staff show their concern as they check De Bruyne’s conditionCredit: AFP
      Man City’s Belgium superstar De Bruyne went down the tunnel minutes after being taken off

      That gave Chelsea their second Champions League final success, with City yet to scoop Europe’s top domestic prize in football.
      And it meant an anguished swansong for City record scorer Sergio Aguero.
      The Argentina striker came on for the last 13 minutes in a vain bid to conjure both an equaliser and the perfect finale to his 10-year City career.
      Instead, team-mates Aguero and KDB suffered misery for different reasons.
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      Antonio Rudiger wearing a mask during the Champions League Final More

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      Chelsea boss Tuchel meets Abramovich for first time after Champions League win… and admits it ‘can only get worse’

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      CHELSEA boss Thomas Tuchel met owner Roman Abramovich for the first time in Porto… and admits it can only go downhill from here.Tuchel was appointed in January after the notoriously trigger-happy Russian billionaire axed club legend Frank Lampard.
      Thomas Tuchel met Roman Abramovich for the first time after winning the Champions League finalCredit: Getty
      Roman Abramovich was in Porto to celebrate as Chelsea beat Man City
      At the time, the Blues appeared massive outsiders to even qualify for the Champions League, let alone win it.
      Now, after watching Kai Havertz down Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City in Saturday’s final, the German is now the toast of West London.
      But Tuchel, 47, knows he may have a fight on his hands to keep it that way… even if a new contract may be in the offing.
      The former PSG boss said: “I think I have a new contract already.
      “My manager said something to me about it – but I don’t know for sure.
      “It was a special moment to meet the owner for the first time on the pitch.
      “It was the best time for that – or maybe the worst because it can only get worse after this.”
      Abramovich, 54, was Portugal making the most a rare opportunity to watch the Blues, who has owned since 2003.
      And he was seen high-fiving former Blues striker Andriy Shevchenko after Havertz put them 1-0 up.
      Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich was pictured watching Chelsea in the Champions League final in PortoCredit: The Sun
      And he was sat just behind former Blues striker Andriy Shevchenko
      Visa issues mean the Russian has not been able to watch Chelsea at home in more than three yearsCredit: The Sun
      Visa issues have meant the Russian has not been able to watch the Blues play at Stamford Bridge in more than three years but the billionaire made sure he was in Porto for their European showdown on Saturday night.
      SunSport’s star snapper Richard Pelham pictured the oligarch making his way to his seat in the Estadio do Dragao.
      He was dressed in his trademark casual attire complete with face mask and was seen celebrating wildly after Havertz opened the scoring.
      Abramovich’s visa issues meant he had never met his latest appointment into the Stamford Bridge hot-seat.
      But he recently reiterated his commitment to Chelsea despite his UK exile.
      It is believed Abramovich had was watched just three live games – Chelsea’s Europa League final against Arsenal in 2019, a friendly against RB Salzburg a month later and the win over Krasnodar last October – since leaving London for Israel in April 2018.
      The visa hold-up came amid tension between the UK and Russia after the Skripal poisoning.
      In the years since his last visit, there have been on-off rumours that the Blues had been put up for sale, with the Russian – who recently jumped to eighth in the Sunday Times Rich List – reportedly looking for more than £2bn.
      But in a rare interview with Forbes, Abramovich doubled down on his desire to lead Chelsea into the future after last summer’s huge £222million transfer spend.

      The 54-year-old saw his team compete in their European showdown with Man CityCredit: The Sun
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      And Tuchel is desperate to be part of that future at the Bridge.
      He added: “We will speak tomorrow. I want him to know that I am still hungry for more and that I already want the next title.
      “We have a very strong group of players here and I want to close the gap.
      “I want to dedicate this victory to my parents, my wife and my kids, who were in the stadium.”
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      Kai Havertz keeps swearing after scoring the winning goal for Chelsea in Champions League Final More

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      Chelsea and Man City Champions League final predictions: How the Sky, BT and other experts see the big game going

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      MANCHESTER CITY and Chelsea meet in the Champions League final today in Lisbon, Portugal.Both teams endured a tough and tricky ride on the road to Lisbon.
      Chelsea fans enjoying the Lisbon sun in front of a giant Champions League trophyCredit: GETTY IMAGES
      There will be 16,500 fans in the groundCredit: GETTY IMAGES
      Man City – playing in their first Champions League final – managed to overcome two German teams back-to-back in the Round of 16 and quarter-finals respectively.
      And annihilated last year’s finalists and strong favourites PSG 4-1 on aggregate in the semi-finals.
      As for Chelsea, they saw a new manager ‘bounce’ when Thomas Tuchel took over from club legend Frank Lampard in January.
      The Blues comfortably saw of now LaLiga champions Atletico Madrid, and narrowly beat Porto in the Round of 16.
      And impressively beat 13-time European champions Real Madrid in the semi-finals.
      So, ahead of today’s big game – who are the pundits and experts backing?
      Dimitar Berbatov
      The Premier League icon, Dimitar Berbatov, wants to see a fairytale ending with Aguero scoring the winning penalty – as long as he doesn’t try a panenka again.
      Speaking to Betfair, he said: “Manchester City want to win the Champions League so badly.
      “They have fought for this cup for many years now and that would be the cherry on top for them. It would make Guardiola more of a legend there than he already is now.
      “Both managers have experience. Tuchel only has experience of losing in the Champions League final [with Paris Saint-Germain last season], while Guardiola has only won in the final [with Barcelona in 2009 and 2011].
      “The fairytale ending is Aguero scoring the winning goal. All people from City will be rooting for that.
      “Chelsea play as a big unit, they know how to attack and how to defend. They are a solid team which move on the pitch as a unit. You watch them and think you cannot go through them.
      “I’m going 1-1 then a penalty shoot-out. I will go for a shoot-out and Aguero to score the winning penalty. I love a fairytale, just as long as he doesn’t do a Panenka against Mendy again!”
      Berbatov is backing Man City to winCredit: GETTY IMAGES

      Glenn Hoddle
      Glenn Hoddle believes that the first goal in the final will prove to be vital.
      Hoddle also believes that Mason Mount and Phil Foden will be particularly important, and whoever wins will be a massive boost for England at the Euros.
      Speaking to Betfair, he said: “Chelsea are a very good side when they go 1-0 up. The first goal has never been more important than it will be in the Champions League final.
      “Chelsea have problems when they go behind. If Chelsea go ahead they can win this game.
      “Thomas Tuchel seems to have Pep Guardiola’s number but you don’t rely on that as a manager.
      “To beat City three times in a season – following Tuchel’s wins over Guardiola in the FA Cup and Premier League – is not going to be easy.
      “Phil Foden and Mason Mount will both have a big influence on the game.
      “The two England teammates will be kicking lumps out of each other for one night only and, for whoever wins, it will be a massive confidence boost going into the Euros. 
      Hoddle thinks England will reap the rewards whoever winsCredit: GETTY IMAGES
      Mount and Foden will play a key role in tonight’s final as well as at the Euros for EnglandCredit: GETTY IMAGES
      Wayne Bridge
      Ex Chelsea and Man City left-back Wayne Bridge believes the game could go either way.
      And thinks that Man City boss Pep Guardiola won’t let his team’s recent results against Chelsea faze them.
      Speaking to bettingexpert.com, he said: “Chelsea might have a slight advantage because they know they can go and beat City.
      “But they’re two great teams and Pep won’t let the recent matches affect him, but it could be at the back of his mind.
      “I think it’s going to be a tight game. Often City can go and storm a match but the way the Chelsea have played against them means it will be a tough match. It could go either way.”
      Bridge is no stranger to big gamesCredit: GETTY IMAGES
      Mark Lawrenson
      Mark Lawrenson is backing Man City to win their first Champions League inside 90 minutes.
      Speaking to BBC Sport, he said: “I’m going with City to win it, and win it in 90 minutes.
      “Chelsea haven’t faced City’s big hitters yet, but they have already played a couple of different ways to beat Guardiola’s side in the past few weeks.
      “Yes, Tuchel got it absolutely right tactically each time but there won’t be a surprise element to how he lines up his team this time. He has showed Pep his Plan A and his Plan B, and I am not sure there is a Plan C.”
      Lawrenson backs Man City to win their first Champions League inside 90 minutesCredit: GETTY IMAGES
      Joleon Lescott
      Ex Man City defender Joleon Lescott believes that no matter what happens tonight, Guardiola has nothing to prove.
      The BT Sport pundit said: “I don’t think anyone will judge Pep if he never wins the Champions League again.
      “The fact is he has had a huge impact on Manchester City and the Premier League. I don’t think his legacy will be tarnished in any way if he doesn’t win it.
      “What he has done for the way the game is viewed right through our league system – not just the Premier League, but teams in lower leagues trying to emulate the style that Pep has created.
      “In terms of a bigger legacy, I don’t think it will be tarnished but he can definitely enhance it.”
      Lescott believes legendary manager Guardiola has nothing to prove no matter what the result isCredit: GETTY IMAGES
      Joe Cole
      The BT Sport pundit and ex Chelsea star Joe Cole thinks that the pressure is on Man City.
      He said: “No doubt there will be people at Man City who will be feeling a lot more pressure to win it than at Chelsea. 
      “Chelsea have got over that hurdle and won it, it took them a long time because it’s not easy and certain things need to go for you.”
      Chelsea have been there and done it, got the t-shirt – Man City haven’tCredit: GETTY IMAGES

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      Owen Hargreaves
      Ex Bayern Munich, Man Utd and Man City midfielder Owen Hargreaves is backing Man City to win the Champions League final.
      Speaking to JOE, he said: “I think it feels like fate for City.
      “It feels like their destiny. As good as Pep is and he hasn’t won one of these for a long time, he will want to mark this occasion.
      “I don’t think he’ll tinker with it this time around. With the defence he has and the goalkeeper I think you can pretty much guarantee who is going to play. 
      “I think City win 2-1.”
      Hargreaves sees a 2-1 Man City winCredit: GETTY IMAGES
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      Pep Guardiola says he is staying put at Man City ahead of Champions League final against Chelsea More

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      Why does the Champions League final ball say ‘Istanbul 21’ when Chelsea vs Man City is being played in Porto?

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      NO football fan needs reminding the Champions League final is the biggest game in European club football.And the iconic starred ball is synonymous with the competition – and will be on show in the final between Chelsea and Manchester City.
      The starred ball is synonymous with the Champions LeagueCredit: Getty
      This year’s ball clearly has ‘Istanbul 21’ written on the side, despite the venue being movedCredit: Getty
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      But this year, due to the coronavirus crisis, the final has had to be moved just a few weeks before the final.
      The 2021 final was due to take place in Turkish metropolis Istanbul, with the Ataturk Stadium poised to host the showpiece for a second time in 16 years.
      The venue for the final is now Porto’s Estadio do Dragao.
      Uefa have not had the time to change the branding on all their promotion material, which means ‘Istanbul 21’ is scrawled on the match ball and much of the branding for the final.

      Players have been training with the ball before the showpiece finalCredit: AP
      Last year’s Champions League ball also said Istanbul on it… when the final was not even played thereCredit: Getty
      Uefa tend to change the Champions League ball every season, but keep the starred effect on the ballCredit: AP
      They have faced a similar headache with their Euro 2020 branding, which has kept its name, even though next month’s international tournament is being played 12 months later.

      Uefa tend to change the Champions League ball every season and this year is certainly no exception.
      This is actually the SECOND year that Istanbul has been snubbed for the final because of the Covid crisis, with last year’s ball featuring red and blue panels behind the iconic stars… before the final was played in Lisbon. More

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      What is the Champions League trophy made out of, and do winners get to keep it?

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      THE Champions League trophy is heading back to England this season.Chelsea and Manchester City are going head-to-head in Lisbon on Saturday for the crown, infront of 16,500 lucky fans.

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      Big Ears awaits the winners of Chelsea vs Man CityCredit: PA
      An iconic trophy in its own right, the Champions League prize is known as ‘Big Ears’ and will be awarded on the pitch following the match.
      What is the Champions League trophy made out of?
      Weighing in at a hefty but manageable 7.5kg, the trophy is light enough to be thrown around a bit in the kind of jubilant scenes we saw last year with Bayern Munich.
      It stands 74cm tall and is made of sterling silver.
      And it’s not actually as valuable as you might expect, with a reported scrap value of just over £4000.
      Compare that to the sold gold World Cup trophy, which has an estimated value of a whopping £113,000.
      The distinctive shape of the two handles has resulted in the Big Ears nickname, with the winning team receiving golden medals on Saturday night and runners-up silver medals.
      Manchester United last won the Champions League back in 2008 under Sir Alex FergusonCredit: PA
      Do winners get to keep it?
      Sadly not.
      Up until 2008/09, if a team won the competition five times they were allowed to keep the current iteration of the trophy.
      That rule was changed just over a decade ago and now all winners receive a replica to display at their club.
      But Big Ears will stay at the Uefa headquarters after this weekend’s expedition to Lisbon.

      Pep Guardiola is hoping to engineer Man City’s first CL triumphCredit: PA
      The Uefa website states: “A rule introduced in 1968/69 stipulates that the cup becomes the property of any club who win the competition five times or three years in a row.
      “The club then start a new cycle from zero. Real Madrid, Ajax, Bayern Munchen, Milan, Liverpool and Barcelona all have a version in their trophy rooms.
      “The rule was changed ahead of 2008/09, with the original trophy remaining with UEFA and the clubs awarded a replica.
      “The current trophy is the fifth version of the current design. It was commissioned by UEFA General Secretary Hans Bangerter after Real Madrid were allowed to keep the original in 1967.”

      How can I watch Champions League final?

      The Champions League final will be shown live on BT Sport 1 and BT Sport 1 HD, as well as BT Sport Ultimate.
      You can catch the action on the BT Sport app which is available for download onto your mobile device, tablet or Smart TV.
      The match will also be shown on BT Sport’s YouTube channel, FREE of charge. More

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      Thomas Tuchel ready to commit long-term to Chelsea and sign new deal with only one year left ahead of Man City clash

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      THOMAS TUCHEL is reportedly ready to commit his long-term future to Chelsea by signing a new deal.And Tuchel claims he hasn’t been this happy since he was managing Mainz.
      Tuchel has been living away from his family who stayed in ParisCredit: GETTY IMAGES
      According to the Telegraph, the 47-year-old, who only has a year left on his current deal, is prepared to put pen to paper on a new one.
      The German believes that Chelsea is the ‘perfect place’, and the Blues are expected to consider an initial extension of two years with an option for a third.
      On a potential new contract, Tuchel said: “This is very easy. I’m just so happy to be here.
      “I have never felt so good since I was in Mainz and this feels like the perfect place and the perfect moment. 
      “I’m so happy to be here, so whatever will come will come. We cannot force things, but, of course, this is my point of view and this is very clear.”

      Tuchel succeeded club-legend Frank Lampard in January and achieved the target of qualifying for Champions League football with a top-four finish.
      And he guided Chelsea to the FA Cup final, which they lost to Brendan Rodgers’ high-flying Leicester.
      Tuchel is also the first boss in history to reach two consecutive Champions League finals with different clubs after his Paris Saint-Germain side lost the 2020 showpiece.
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      The Blues have a date with Manchester City in Porto tonight for Europe’s top club prize.
      Victory would cap off a wonderful start to life at Chelsea for Tuchel and give both parties assurance that they’re right for one another.
      And a second Champions League in the trophy cabinet writes Tuchel’s name into the Stamford Bridge history books forever.
      However, former defender Wayne Bridge believes that should Tuchel fail to win trophies – owner Roman Abramovich could wield the axe once again.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

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      Robin van Persie slams Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel’s treatment of Hakim Ziyech ahead of Champions League final

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      HAKIM ZIYECH is being wasted by Thomas Tuchel at Chelsea, Robin van Persie has claimed.The former striker, 37, has named the playmaker alongside Christian Pulisic and Mateo Kovacic as stars being held back by the Blues.
      Hakim Ziyech is set to start Saturday’s final from the benchCredit: Getty
      Ziyech’s first season in West London is likely to end with a place on the bench against Manchester City in Saturday’s Champions League final.
      Many of his 39 appearances have come as a substitute as neither Tuchel nor predecessor Frank Lampard truly trusted the 28-year-old.
      For Van Persie, the ex-Ajax talent is good enough to build the attack around.
      He told De Telegraaf: “It is actually a shame that the creativity of players like Ziyech, Pulisic and Kovacic – who I think is a brilliant player – is not being expressed.
      “Kovacic is their engine and playmaker. Ziyech also has those qualities higher up the pitch, but he should have a much bigger role in the team.
      “He is now constantly searching [for a place in the team], being played in all different positions.

      “But surely it can’t be that difficult to give such a creative player a good position, right?
      “You can also see it differently, first give Ziyech and Kovacic an important role and then let players like [N’Golo] Kante and other types work around them.”
      Van Persie is not the only former Premier League star to criticise Ziyech’s treatment.
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      Earlier this month, ex-Chelsea defender Frank Leboeuf told Tuchel to play the Morocco international down the right flank, like Riyad Mahrez.
      He told ESPN FC: “I’m concerned about Hakim Ziyech. If he plays, why doesn’t [Tuchel] put him on the right?
      “Tuchel really has to think that Ziyech has to play on the right side. It’s like Mahrez, he’s a copycat of Mahrez.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Ziyech is yet to win over Thomas Tuchel completely just yetCredit: Reuters
      Robin van Persie wants to see the Moroccan star given more of a chanceCredit: Reuters
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      Leicester scout reveals how he unearthed gems Kante and Mahrez in budget swoops ahead of Champions League final

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      THE journeys Riyad Mahrez and N’Golo Kante have made towards the biggest game in club football is Boy’s Own stuff.They emerged from the relative obscurity of French football to take the Premier League by storm with Leicester City. 
      Kante and Mahrez played a huge role in Leicester’s Premier League title win back in 2016Credit: GETTY IMAGES
      The pair were spotted playing in FranceCredit: GETTY IMAGES
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      And after going their separate ways, midfield enforcer Kante and winger Mahrez have both since won the title again, with Chelsea and  Manchester City respectively.
      Now as the pals set their sights on Champions League glory, SunSport can tell the inside story of their move to England.
      Leicester talent-spotter David Mills said: “To go from where they were to where they are now is inspirational.
      “I was delegated to head to Le Havre to watch Mahrez and it was immediately apparent he had lots of potential.
      “When I reported back to my boss, Steve Walsh, and the scouting team, I told them he’d be ideal — with caveats.
      “I remember saying he’s a good attacking player but the full-back won’t get much assistance from him.
      “Unless we could put up with his defensive shortcomings, he might not be one for us.
      “But, then again, at 400,000 euros it was a no-brainer. 
      Kante and Mahrez made the next step up in their careers, moving to Chelsea and Man City respectivelyCredit: GETTY IMAGES
      Both have won Premier League titles since their moves away from the King Power Stadium and remain friendsCredit: GETTY IMAGES
      “There are always doubts but it was case of having to live with his deficiencies.
      “In the end, as a department, we recommended to the manager, Nigel Pearson, that we should take him on that basis.”
      There were even doubts over Kante when he was first spotted by Mills, England’s first half-million-pound player when he left Middlesbrough for West Brom in 1979.
      Mills, 69, said: “I’d gone to Caen to watch a centre-half and this little lad in midfield towered over everyone, despite being just 5ft 6in.
      “It was a case of, ‘Who’s nicked the ball there? Kante. Who’s made that tackle? Kante. Who’s poked that ball away? Oh, Kante again’.
      “He reminded me of the highly influential Chelsea star Claude Makelele but I wasn’t certain he’d be Nigel’s type of player.
      “He wasn’t a big 6ft-plus aggressive player that a lot of managers want for their physical presence.
      “But I pointed out N’Golo was the best player of his type I’d seen in ten years. 
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      “Every time his opponents  counter-attacked, Kante foiled them.
      “I described him as a little ratter, which doesn’t sound flattering but I meant it as a compliment. With so many Premier League teams counter-attacking, he was ideally suited to halting breakaways.” 
      Kante was signed for £5.6million and soon brought the best out of Mahrez.
      Ex-Foxes and Chelsea keeper Mark Schwarzer said: “I played alongside N’Golo when he started his first Leicester game at Bury in the League Cup and he bossed it. 
      “I instantly knew he’d be a first-team regular and getting him was a masterstroke — especially for Riyad. N’Golo’s ability to be here, there and everywhere allowed Riyad freedom to focus on getting forward.” 

      It will be bitter-sweet for Foxes fans when their former heroes line up in Porto but Mills insists the club should take pride in their success.
      He said: “I knew Mahrez and Kante were special when I first clapped eyes on them but no one who saw them back then could have predicted how far they could go. 
      “The Champions League final will be a fairytale for one of them.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Raucous Chelsea and Man City fans drink beers and lap up Porto sunshine ahead of Champions League final More