Eight years ago today, the footballing world witnessed one of the most dramatic victories in history of our game. Chelsea defied all the pre game odds and more to beat Bayern Munich in their own backyard. Even within the match itself, Chelsea had to ride their luck, defend with surgical precision throughout the 120 minutes.
Despite all the heroics of the back 4 of Chelsea, they still needed a champion performance from Petr Cech in goal to keep Bayern at bay. And eventually it all came down to that kick, that one kick from Didier Drogba, and the rest was history.
We will take you down the memory lane. Sit back and enjoy while we relive the greatest night in the history of Chelsea Football Club.
Starting line-ups
Bayern field in pretty much their strongest eleven, while Chelsea have all sorts of problems. John Terry, the club captain is suspended after the red card he picked up at the Nou Camp.
To add salt into the wounds, Ramires, Branislav Ivanovic and Raul Meireles are all suspended after picking up yellow cards in Barcelona. Everything was stacked up against the Blues.
Bayern dominate the early proceedings
Bayern are all over Chelsea in the opening minutes of the game. Arjen Robben and Toni Kross both have an early sight at goal, but miss the target by a long distance. The pattern for the game is already set. Attack vs defense a.k.a Bayern vs Chelsea.
Cech warms up as Chelsea survive a massive scare
Arjen Robben has the first clear cut chance of the match as he shoots low at Cech’s near post. But the Chelsea man is up to the task as he stretches his right leg to push the shot on to the post and out.
Meanwhile, Chelsea have their first sight at goal as Kalou hits one straight into the hands of Manuel Neuer.
Bayern will be gutted as honors are even at Half Time
Despite dominating the entire half, Bayern Munich weren’t able to find a way past a dogged Chelsea back-line. But it looks as though it is only a matter of time before the Bavarians find the breakthrough. The crowd is fully with them and Chelsea are being pinned down in their own half.
A tight offside call saves Chelsea as the second half takes shape
More of the same pattern as Bayern continue to push Chelsea back. Robben’s shot is deflected off Cole, into the path of Ribery, who taps it in. But the flag is up for offside. Chelsea survive once more.
It’s backs to the wall defending from Chelsea as they keep churning out the blocks. Ashley Cole, in particular is having one of those nights where he gets in the way of everything. How long can Chelsea hang on?
Breakthrough for Bayern!
83 minutes of heroic defending. But Bayern finally unlock Chelsea’s door as Muller heads in a delicious cross from Toni Kroos. There is hardly any time left to salvage something for the tired Chelsea players. It surely is Bayern’s night in their own stadium.
Cometh the hour cometh the man
What drama. Football never ceases to amaze you. The clock almost ticks 90 as Mata floats in an in-swinging corner. Guess who is there? Of course it is him. King Didier, as if it was meant to be. The Ivorian powers a bullet of a header past a helpless Manuel Neuer. We’re back to square one again. Extra time beckons!
More Drama as Drogba goes from hero to villain, again
Just as he did at the Nou Camp, Drogba makes a lazy striker’s challenge inside the box and the referee points to the spot. Messi saved his blushes in Barcelona, what does Arjen Robben have up his sleeve? Saved by Cech. A massive let off for the Blues. It really is one of those nights for Di Matteo’s men.
Extra time comes to an end as the two teams tried everything in their prowess to achieve their intentions. One, wanted to take the game to penalties while the other wanted exactly the opposite. Penalties it is then!
Advantage to Bayern as Chelsea miss one early
Bayern Munich captain Philipp Lahm steps up first. Cech nearly saves it, but the ball goes in as Lahm breathes a sigh of relief.
Juan Mata is the first to step up for Chelsea. Saved by Manuel Neuer low down to his left. A pretty average penalty from the Spaniard.
Mario Gomez is up next for the hosts. The German unerringly slots the ball in to the bottom right corner as Bayern maintain perfection.
David Luiz has to score for Chelsea, otherwise they will be in dire straits. Luiz is coming up with a long run up. Can’t be another Ramos esque penalty, can it? Boooooom! Luiz nearly breaks the net as he powers one in to the top corner. Phew! What a penalty. 2-1 to Bayern after 2 penalties a piece.
Chelsea restore parity as Olic misses for Bayern
Interesting scenes as Manuel Neuer is next in line for Bayern. He scores. A calm penalty from arguably the calmest player on the pitch.
Chelsea’s captain for the night, Frank Lampard is the next on the queue. Typical Frank Lampard pen as he strikes high in to the middle of the net.
Ivica Olic, the man who missed a gilt-edged opportunity in dying moments of extra time is next. His penalty is saved by Cech. Oh, poor boy! His last kick as a Bayern player and it couldn’t have come out any worse.
Ashley Cole has been brilliant all night at the back for Chelsea. What can he do from the penalty spot? Oh! what an amazing penalty. Neuer dives the right way, but Cole’s penalty is impeccably executed as the ball nestles into the bottom right hand corner. And, it is sudden death time already!
Schweinsteiger misses for Bayern
Bastian Schweinsteiger has been one heck of a player throughout his career but this arguably is his most important kick. And………He misses. The ball crashes onto the post and out of play. Replays show that Petr Cech got a vital touch to it. The Golden Glove of Chelsea’s shot-stopper has put them one kick away from glory. Within reach!
Drogba has his moment for Chelsea at long last
You could bet your house on Drogba to score. DROGBAAAAAA HAS DONE IT! KING DIDIER HAS WON THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FOR CHELSEA WITH HIS LAST KICK AS A BLUE.
What a night in Munich. Football just as it is meant to be ! The horrors of Moscow and the heartbreak at the Bridge caused by Iniesta all those years back is gone. Chelsea are champions of Europe, let that sink in!
Blue is the colour, football is the game
We’re all together and winning is our aim
So cheer us on through the sun and rain
Cos Chelsea, Chelsea is our name.
8 managers, 3193 days and an awful lot of money spent to go along with it, since Roman Abramovich took-over this special Football Club. And this is the moment that has awaited us all. A night that will be etched in our hearts forever. Football is Paradise!
Also read:
- History Of Fantasy Football And Origin Of FPL
- Premier League Lefties Union XI
- Why Timo Werner to Liverpool is a match made in heaven?
- Relive the Agueroooooooo moment
- Why Jadon Sancho to Man Utd is definitely happening this summer?
Thanks for reading the Chelsea vs Bayern blog. Do drop your comments below on, Where and how did you experience the ‘Drogbaaa’ moment? And What was your feeling? Also, drop us a follow on Instagram and Twitter to stay updated on regular Premier League and FPL updates.
K K Anirudh
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