On a warm evening in Metalist, Chelsea delivered a polished performance to secure a 2–0 victory over Liverpool and lift the UEFA Super Cup in front of 40,003 fans. The result was the culmination of a tactical masterclass from manager Calin Dimario, who continues to prove his managerial pedigree with yet another piece of silverware added to his extensive collection.
Match Summary
Goals from Pele and Jairzinho were enough to settle the contest. The Brazilian midfielder opened the scoring in the 23rd minute with a composed low drive after a neat passage of build-up play. Just 14 minutes later, a lapse in concentration from Liverpool defender Felix Hammond gifted possession to Chelsea, allowing Jairzinho to double the lead with a crisp finish into the bottom corner.
Despite Liverpool’s attempts to claw their way back into the match, Chelsea’s well-organised defence nullified any threats. The Blues’ press, led by midfield generals Pele and Fernando González, was relentless and forced multiple turnovers in dangerous areas. Chelsea had 15 shots in total, 5 of which were on target, and recorded an xG of 2.16 compared to Liverpool’s 0.96, demonstrating their superiority throughout the contest.
Tactical Breakdown
Chelsea’s Shape and Dominance
Manager Dimario opted for a flexible 4-2-3-1 that morphed into a 4-3-3 during possession. Pele operated as the central pivot between defence and attack, consistently dictating tempo and spraying passes across the width of the pitch. The average position heat map showed Chelsea dominating midfield and wide channels, pressing high and playing the majority of the game in Liverpool’s half.
Fullbacks Giuseppe Capone and Facundo Quiroga pushed up aggressively, while Kieran O’Sullivan and Joseph Haigh provided the width and attacking creativity in the final third. Chelsea controlled 51% of the possession but were significantly more efficient with it, registering higher-quality chances and forcing Liverpool to defend in their final third for long spells.
Liverpool’s Struggles
Liverpool, managed by an as-yet-unnamed successor to Klopp, deployed a 4-3-3 system. Defensive midfielder Makis Sotiriou struggled under pressure, managing only 27 passes with a 88% success rate. Felix Hammond and Jakub Stanislawski were tasked with advancing play through the wings but lacked the penetration to stretch Chelsea’s compact shape.
Errors crept into their game early, particularly from Hammond whose mistake led directly to Jairzinho’s goal. Adam Beckford in midfield attempted to drive the team forward but lacked support from Mark Taylor and Helmut Amschler, who both registered below-par ratings and offered little creativity or link-up play.
In the final third, Dougie Agnew and Felix Hammond failed to create any real chances, with Liverpool not managing a single shot on target. Their best effort came from Makis Sotiriou, who forced Chelsea keeper Joby Holwell into a comfortable early save.
Standout Performances
Pele (Player of the Match)
The Brazilian maestro was instrumental in both phases of play. His 80% pass completion, 3 key passes, 4 tackles, and a well-placed goal capped off a dominant midfield display. As the metronome of Chelsea’s attack, he was constantly involved in recycling possession and breaking lines.
Jairzinho
Jairzinho scored the game’s second goal with clinical precision, punishing Liverpool’s sloppy defending. He completed 88% of his passes, created one big chance, and played a critical role in the high press that stifled Liverpool’s buildup.
Joby Holwell
The veteran keeper made a vital early intervention and was calm and composed throughout. While largely untroubled thanks to his defence, he maintained concentration and ensured there were no slip-ups, also registering a 7.4 rating.
Statistical Insights
- Shots: Chelsea 15 (5 on target), Liverpool 5 (0 on target)
- xG: Chelsea 2.16 – Liverpool 0.96
- Possession: Chelsea 51% – Liverpool 49%
- Pass Completion: Chelsea 88% – Liverpool 86%
- Best performers: Pele (7.8), Jairzinho (7.4), Capone (7.1)
Managerial Remarks
Calin Dimario praised his team’s discipline and execution, stating, “This was a great performance—not just tactically but mentally. We were in control from start to finish.”
Liverpool’s camp admitted shortcomings, with key figures recognising the team was outplayed in midfield and punished for defensive lapses. “We handed them two goals, and against a side like Chelsea, that’s always fatal,” one senior player commented.
Key Takeaways
- Chelsea’s squad depth: Dimario could afford to leave Logan Granger and Netanel Sahar on the bench and still dominate—a testament to their strength in depth.
- Liverpool’s cohesion concerns: A number of new faces in their starting XI seemed disjointed and unsure of their roles. There’s work to be done on the training ground.
- Title signals: With back-to-back silverware in the Community Shield and UEFA Super Cup, Chelsea are sending a clear message—they are ready to compete across all fronts.
Ultimately, this was more than just a trophy win for Chelsea—it was a performance that underlined their tactical maturity, strength in depth, and hunger for more silverware this season.