Chelsea revel in creating Youth League history
Monday, April 18, 2016
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Chelsea's Adi Viveash told UEFA.com being "double European champions is a tremendous achievement" as he, Fikayo Tomori and Charlie Colkett reacted to their final success.
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Adi Viveash, Chelsea coach
It was an all-action final between two very good teams and we just edged it in the end. The last 25 minutes were quite draining, we were obviously under intense pressure, but the boys did what they have throughout the competition. They defended fantastically and their team spirit shone through – that's why they're worthy champions.
It's a massive achievement to win it once, but to retain it is very difficult to do. It'll be a very good team that emulates that, though how long that will take I don't know. We've created some history in the competition and to be double European champions at this age is a tremendous achievement for the academy and the club.
We could have been more than 1-0 up in the first 15 minutes, but [Chelsea being more clinical than Paris] was probably the key thing. To do it back to back is something I'll remember for ever, but it's a testament to all of the staff that work with this team and have done for the last nine months. They all work tremendously hard, so credit goes across the board to everybody.
Fikayo Tomori, Chelsea goalscorer
It's a great feeling to have retained the trophy with a different and younger team. We had a lot of motivation coming back to Nyon and we're happy to have got the job done. We'd worked on set pieces in training and we know where we have to be in the box, but luckily the ball fell to me after a great header from Jake [Clarke-Salter] and I reacted and put it in the back of the net.
Conceding the penalty was disappointing for me, but thankfully Brad pulled out a save to keep us in the lead. Scoring straight after they did was also an important factor because they were really pressing us at the time.
The Youth League was the only competition I hadn't scored in for Chelsea until today so I'm happy to get a goal, especially in a final.
Charlie Colkett, Chelsea captain and double UEFA Youth League winner
I'm absolutely delighted to have created some history by winning it back to back. We knew they were going to come out fighting in the second half – they're a powerful animal – but we had to stay together, retain our belief and dig out the result, which we did excellently.
Paris were gaining momentum and confidence, but we soon came up with another goal to keep them at bay. Being on the bench [for the first team against Swansea on 9 April], as well as today, was one of my highlights of the season. My season has been a bit up and down due to injury, but that was a lovely confidence boost that I took with me into this match.