They were possibly the team in the semifinal which seemed least likely to win. With powerhouses like Bayern, Barcelona and Real Madrid around, who would have expected a team languishing in the league, with no Champions League trophies in the cabinet, aging players and an inexperienced manager to come out with the cup? But their fans stuck with them and were rewarded with club football's biggest prize. And Bayern's home fans were heartbroken, for they came so close.
In terms of playing style, 80 minutes flew past in a manner not unlike the Barcelona game. Bayern held possession but simply could not break through the blue defence. And when they did, their below-par finishing prevented them from going ahead when they could and should have. The slight underdogs' two-tier defence, now perfected, created a deadlock. Finally, when Bayern went ahead amid wild celebrations, their defence went slack and allowed Drogba to equalise. Incidentally, the Ivorian, set to leave his club, has made a habit of scoring in finals.
Extra time followed. The very Drogba who had lifted Chelsea fans' hopes now seemed to kill them again by conceding a penalty. Dutchman Robben stepped up - and missed. Incidentally, Robben has made a habit of missing penalties in key finals. Extra time finished with the score locked at a goal apiece - the Champions League would culminate in football's cruellest creation, the penalty shootout.
Lahm scored for Bayern. 1-0. Mata missed for Chelsea. Would this be fatal? Still 1-0. Gomez, denied in open play may times, scored. 2-0. David Luiz pulled one back for the Blues. 2-1. Surprise! Bayern goalie Neuer scored. 3-1. Chelsea veteran Lampard scored. 3-2. Olic's last kick as a Bayern player - missed! 3-2. Experienced Cole equalised for Chelsea. 3-3. Virtual sudden death. Schweinsteiger stood behind the ball. The very man who whipped off his shirt after sealing a penalties win against Real Madrid, now buried his face in his shirt in shame and agony. He had missed. 3-3. Drogba simply needed to score for thousands of fans to not bay for his blood. His own last kick as a Chelsea player was a resounding success. It was his turn to remove his shirt and run like possessed. Chelsea had won the Champions League for the first time ever.
Skipper John Terry, suspended for the game, hoisted the tall trophy along with stand-in captain Lampard. This was later paraded in West London. Chelsea also get to qualify for next-year's tournament at the expense of Tottenham, which would not have been the case had Bayern won. Drogba will leave the club in style, albeit on a free transfer. Torres, though, spoiled the party with his ill-timed comments on his not starting the game and debutant Ryan Bertrand starting instead. But until next year, Europe's best team is blue.
In terms of playing style, 80 minutes flew past in a manner not unlike the Barcelona game. Bayern held possession but simply could not break through the blue defence. And when they did, their below-par finishing prevented them from going ahead when they could and should have. The slight underdogs' two-tier defence, now perfected, created a deadlock. Finally, when Bayern went ahead amid wild celebrations, their defence went slack and allowed Drogba to equalise. Incidentally, the Ivorian, set to leave his club, has made a habit of scoring in finals.
Extra time followed. The very Drogba who had lifted Chelsea fans' hopes now seemed to kill them again by conceding a penalty. Dutchman Robben stepped up - and missed. Incidentally, Robben has made a habit of missing penalties in key finals. Extra time finished with the score locked at a goal apiece - the Champions League would culminate in football's cruellest creation, the penalty shootout.
Lahm scored for Bayern. 1-0. Mata missed for Chelsea. Would this be fatal? Still 1-0. Gomez, denied in open play may times, scored. 2-0. David Luiz pulled one back for the Blues. 2-1. Surprise! Bayern goalie Neuer scored. 3-1. Chelsea veteran Lampard scored. 3-2. Olic's last kick as a Bayern player - missed! 3-2. Experienced Cole equalised for Chelsea. 3-3. Virtual sudden death. Schweinsteiger stood behind the ball. The very man who whipped off his shirt after sealing a penalties win against Real Madrid, now buried his face in his shirt in shame and agony. He had missed. 3-3. Drogba simply needed to score for thousands of fans to not bay for his blood. His own last kick as a Chelsea player was a resounding success. It was his turn to remove his shirt and run like possessed. Chelsea had won the Champions League for the first time ever.
Skipper John Terry, suspended for the game, hoisted the tall trophy along with stand-in captain Lampard. This was later paraded in West London. Chelsea also get to qualify for next-year's tournament at the expense of Tottenham, which would not have been the case had Bayern won. Drogba will leave the club in style, albeit on a free transfer. Torres, though, spoiled the party with his ill-timed comments on his not starting the game and debutant Ryan Bertrand starting instead. But until next year, Europe's best team is blue.
Blue is indeed the color of the year if one counts Manchester City and probably Nadal/Fed back in form. There is one cup which I would like yellows to win next week - but that would need 3 straight wins !
ReplyDelete