From the feedback so far on the blog for some reason Bayern Munich v Chelsea is the one a lot want to read and reflect on. I can't think why. Well the German side back in the final on their home patch surely it’s the perfect time for them to lift the Champions League again? Well football is not that easy and can be cruel.
Roberto Di Matteo was named caretaker manager of Chelsea in March 2012 until the end of that season after the sacking of Andre Villas-Boas. What came in the few months after will forever be remembered in Chelsea’s history. Leading up to the final ‘leader’ John Terry was suspended after getting sent off in the semi-final against Barcelona. This was literally set up for Munich to win.
Looking back at this game I remembered the surprise selection of Ryan Bertrand in the starting line up and Arjen Robben missing a lot of chances for Bayern, boy did he miss a lot. Chelsea pretty much defended for most the game (in particular though Ashley Cole was outstanding) creating the odd chance. Bayern after missing loads of opportunities finally broke through late in the game via a back-post header from Thomas Muller.
The drama didn’t stop there at the Allianz Arena as Didier Drogba scored an 88th minute equaliser with another header. Drogba was for me the big game player for Chelsea netting 9 goals in 9 finals for the blues. So on to extra time and Robben continued to miss chance after chance. He then had the golden opportunity to put Bayern back in the lead from the penalty spot. The penalty was given away by Drogba but saved by Petr Cech in goal. Literally Bayern how are you going to blow this?
So on to a penalty shoot-out. It was fitting that Drogba was in fact the man to put away the winning penalty and seal Chelsea’s first European Cup success. This also made Chelsea the first and still the only London club with a European Cup. Drogba left the club that summer a legend (he did return in 2014 for one season) but he put his mark on Chelsea’s greatest night in history.
Some say their history only started when Roman Abramovich came in 2003, and Terry changing into his kit to join in with the celebrations was a much talked about topic for years to come. However, that’s an argument for another day.
Chelsea also won the FA Cup that season beating Liverpool 2-1 and yes Drogba scored the winner in that too. It was a short spell for Di Matteo lasting only 8 months but a pretty successful one nonetheless.
You can refresh your memory of the final here
A return to Wembley next in an all-German affair.
Roberto Di Matteo was named caretaker manager of Chelsea in March 2012 until the end of that season after the sacking of Andre Villas-Boas. What came in the few months after will forever be remembered in Chelsea’s history. Leading up to the final ‘leader’ John Terry was suspended after getting sent off in the semi-final against Barcelona. This was literally set up for Munich to win.
Looking back at this game I remembered the surprise selection of Ryan Bertrand in the starting line up and Arjen Robben missing a lot of chances for Bayern, boy did he miss a lot. Chelsea pretty much defended for most the game (in particular though Ashley Cole was outstanding) creating the odd chance. Bayern after missing loads of opportunities finally broke through late in the game via a back-post header from Thomas Muller.
The drama didn’t stop there at the Allianz Arena as Didier Drogba scored an 88th minute equaliser with another header. Drogba was for me the big game player for Chelsea netting 9 goals in 9 finals for the blues. So on to extra time and Robben continued to miss chance after chance. He then had the golden opportunity to put Bayern back in the lead from the penalty spot. The penalty was given away by Drogba but saved by Petr Cech in goal. Literally Bayern how are you going to blow this?
So on to a penalty shoot-out. It was fitting that Drogba was in fact the man to put away the winning penalty and seal Chelsea’s first European Cup success. This also made Chelsea the first and still the only London club with a European Cup. Drogba left the club that summer a legend (he did return in 2014 for one season) but he put his mark on Chelsea’s greatest night in history.
Some say their history only started when Roman Abramovich came in 2003, and Terry changing into his kit to join in with the celebrations was a much talked about topic for years to come. However, that’s an argument for another day.
Chelsea also won the FA Cup that season beating Liverpool 2-1 and yes Drogba scored the winner in that too. It was a short spell for Di Matteo lasting only 8 months but a pretty successful one nonetheless.
You can refresh your memory of the final here
A return to Wembley next in an all-German affair.
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