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Kepa Arrizabalaga And Edouard Mendy's Joint Interview After UEFA Super Cup Win Was Wonderful

Kepa Arrizabalaga And Edouard Mendy's Joint Interview After UEFA Super Cup Win Was Wonderful

Kepa Arrizabalaga replaced Edouard Mendy in extra time before going on to save two penalties in the shoot-out.

Josh Lawless

Josh Lawless

Kepa Arrizabalaga and Edouard Mendy both took part in a brilliant joint interview with BT Sport after Chelsea won the UEFA Super Cup on Wednesday night.

The game against Villarreal in Belfast went all the way to penalties after a 1-1 draw, with Gerard Moreno cancelling out Hakim Ziyech's opener in the first half.

And in the dying embers of extra time, Thomas Tuchel made an inspired move when he substituted first-choice goalkeeper Mendy for Kepa, who he and his staff deemed to be better at saving penalties.

Kepa, having played for just a minute, saved two spot-kicks in the shoot-out to give Chelsea a second European trophy in a matter of months.

Image: PA
Image: PA

When Kepa made the match-winning save to deny Villarreal skipper Raul Albiol, Mendy joined his teammates in sprinting over to the Spaniard in jubilant scenes.

Then, after the win, the two were interviewed by Des Kelly and gave a great insight into their relationship.

It is not a typical situation, you know, we arrived with the penalties," Kepa said to BT Sport.

"Edou did a fantastic job, it was a tough, tough game, against a very good game.

"Finally, we won, and we are so proud, you know. I think all of the team did a fantastic job and I'm happy with the medal."

Mendy could have quite easily sulked at Tuchel taking a leaf out of Louis van Gaal's playbook in substituting his goalkeeper ahead of penalties.

But we was delighted to see his fellow goalkeeper get a special moment in Chelsea colours.

"Of course I'm happy, because we won, and we worked for that, for this success," Mendy stated.

"And I knew since last year, if Kepa come on the pitch, he will help the team.

"And he did today and I'm really happy with Kepa."

In 2019, Kepa was involved in an infamous incident where he refused to be substituted for Willy Caballero prior to the Carabao Cup final shoot-out against Manchester City Wembley.

This time around the former Athletic Bilbao was sent on and proved to be the hero. Tuchel praised both of his 'keepers and says they have been aware of the penalty situation since February this year.

When we came to Chelsea and we had the first cup game against Barnsley, we got the statistics and we were prepared,' Tuchel started.

"Kepa had the best percentage at saving penalties," the German told the official Chelsea website.

"The analysis guys and the goalkeeper coaches showed me the data, then we spoke with the players that this [substitution] could happen when we play knockout games.

"Since then they have known. It's fantastic how Edou accepts it, and it's fantastic how the talk went on the morning before the cup game in Barnsley. These guys are true team players. I'm happy for Kepa and I'm happy for Edou."

Featured Image Credit: BT Sport

Topics: Edouard Mendy, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Chelsea, Football, Thomas Tuchel, UEFA Super Cup