What a final. Even if you’re not a fan of the two clubs, like me, this final was breathtaking and full of suspense to the very last minute! Since Bayern defeated my one true love, Real Madrid, I had no favorite team to support for the remaining Champions League match. Nevertheless, I became a big admirer of FC Chelsea and especially, Roberto Di Matteo. This coach took over after André Villas-Boas had been sacked on March 4th, after he had led Chelsea into a bit of a crisis and did not manage to create a harmonious relationship with some of the older players at Chelsea. So Di Matteo had quite a bit of work to do and clean up the mess that Villas-Boas left behind.
One could immediately notice the change – the Italian put his faith into the likes of Frank Lampard, Didier Drogba, Ashley Cole and John Terry – the “old” cavalry. Even though Di Matteo did not manage to get Chelsea a Champions League qualification place in the league table after finishing the Barclay’s Premier League in 6th place, he kept on working hard and managed to get the team into two finals. In the final of the FA Cup, Chelsea managed to beat FC Liverpool 2:1 and won their first trophy this season. Also, they beat FC Barcelona in the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League with some of the best defending I have ever seen.
Bayern also had their problems in the domestic competitions. Defending champions Borussia Dortmund simply outclassed the Lederhosenträger in every possible way. Dortmund managed to defend their league title from last season and also beat Bayern in the DFB Pokal final by 5:2. Dortmund and Bayern were on the same pitch five times this season, but Dortmund won every single match. Bayern has never been this outclassed by a fellow German side ever.
All in all, it was difficult to call up a winner beforehand. Still, Bayern managed to get into the final as favorites, probably because they have the slightly better squad. And of course, because they play at home, in the gorgeous Allianz Arena. By defeating Real Madrid, Bayern became the first football team ever to play a UEFA Champions League final at home.
So, let’s get to the match itself. Keep in mind that numerous players on both sides missed this final due to suspensions from previous matches. Badstuber, Alaba and Luiz Gustavo were to be replaced in the Bayern defense. Chelsea had to make without Ivanovic, Ramires and Raul Meireles.
The Germans dominated the game from kickoff. Numerous chances by the likes of Schweinsteiger, Kroos and Robben characterized the first ten minutes of the match. Pressure from Bayern continued throughout the first half and only Kalou’s shot in the 37th minute tested Manuel Neuer. Still, the Bayern stars were unable to defeat Chelsea’s defenses.
The second half continued with the same high-pace game from Bayern and Chelsea defending with great tactics. They did not even try to stop the Bayern players in midfield, all of the Blues were in- or outside of the 18 yard box.
It was in the last ten minutes of normal time, it all looked to be decided. With a great cross by Kroos, Müller headed the ball towards goal. The piece of leather then hit the underside of the crossbar and went in. 1:0 for Bayern in the 83rd minute! It all seemed to be over, since Chelsea never really looked like they were going to score. But then something happened: football happened.
In the last minutes of normal play, Chelsea managed to get a corner kick, after pushing towards Manuel Neuer’s goal. They were definitely in a hurry now. Mata took the corner kick and found the strong and powerful head of no other than Didier Drogba, who headed the goal into the net in similar fashion of Müller. 1:1 with 88 minutes played! It then all went down to extra time, which pretty much consisted of the same tactics as the entire match: Bayern pressed, Chelsea defended. With one huge exception.
In the 95th minute, Drogba of all people fouled Ribery in the penalty box. Dutchman Arjen Robben, also a former Chelsea player under José Mourinho’s time, was unable to beat Petr Cech. The Bayern fans were furious, as this was not the first time the Dutchman missed a decisive penalty kick. In the league match against Borussia Dortmund, Bayern had the chance to still get within touching distance of the Schale (Bundesliga trophy) if Arjen Robben had delivered. It seems like he does lose his nerves when it comes to big penalty kicks. Still, I don’t think many Bayern stars would have traded places with him.
So it remained 1:1 and it all came down to a penalty shoot-out. Captain Philipp Lahm was the first to try out his luck against Petr Cech. He delivered, but only just, as Cech had his hands on the ball. Mata on the other hand, did not have that much luck, as Neuer saved his shot in impressive style. Mario Gomez, who was not having a great game, did great with his penalty kick. It was now 2:0 in the shoot-out. Chelsea had to score now, or it would have been very unlikely for them to still turn it around. And fortunately for them, David Luiz scored with a powerful shot into the top right corner of the net.
It was Manuel Neuer himself who took the next Bayern penalty. Keeper versus keeper, we don’t get to see that every day. Cech guessed the right way, but Neuer’s flat shot into the very left corner of the goal was pretty much unstoppable. Bayern seemed to be so close to the trophy. It was Frank Lampard up next and he smashed the ball into the top middle of the goal, leaving Neuer with no chance.
The next penalty was decisive. Ivica Olic stood up for Bayern and failed against Cech. It was now 3:2 for Bayern. And Ashley Cole converted his penalty shortly after to make it a mind-blowing 3:3.
It was now all down to playmaker Bastian Schweinsteiger. Unfortunately for him and Bayern, he hammered the ball against the right post of the goal, Cech might have had his hands on it. And now, the man that saved Chelsea’s dreams minutes before it was all over, stepped up. Cool as if it was a penalty kick in a training session, Didier Drogba converted into the left side, Neuer guessed the wrong way and moved to the right. At that moment, Chelsea became European Champions for the first time ever.
The Germafrican 