Didier Drogba laid the ghosts of Moscow 2008 to rest scoring the winning penalty at the Allianz Arena as Chelsea triumphed over Bayern Munich in the shootout to seal the Champions League for the first time in their history .
The Ivorian international, who is out of contract at the end of the season, had already saved Chelsea in normal time heading home a Juan Mata corner two minutes from time after the German side looked to have nicked the trophy moments earlier after Thomas Muller had nodded home from close range. The 34-year-old almost went from hero to villain in extra time giving away a penalty after clipping Frank Ribery in 18-yard area only for Petr Cech spare his blushed keeping out Arjen Robbens tame spot kick as the additional 30 minutes failed to separate the two sides. But the Blues hopes of taking the trophy back to Stamford Bridge looked slim as they fell 3-1 behind during the shootout only for Bayern to lose their nerve and present Drogba with the opportunity to crown Chelsea as champions of Europe in what could be his last game for the club.
It was only four years ago that the West Londoners, led by another interim in the form of Avram Grant, lost on penalties to Manchester United on a wet night in the Russian capital. A similar chain of events have transpired this time around with Roberto Di Matteo picking up the pieces of Andre Villas-Boas’ disastrous reign, restoring a sense of pride to the club and delivering the trophy owner Roman Abramovich has craved ever since he bought the club in 2003. Whether this will secure the managers job permanently for Di Matteo has yet to be decided although he’ll certainly come under serious consideration after this.
He displayed his astute tactical intelligence by setting Chelsea’s stall out to frustrate Bayern and for much of the contest it worked as Jupp Heynckes’ side struggled to break down an unflinching defence containing the half fit duo of Gary Cahill and David Luiz. When the Bundesliga side did carve out an opportunity it was wasted by top scorer Mario Gomez who displayed none of the composure or ruthlessness that has bagged him over 40 goals this season. The German international’s control let him down in the first instance as he tried to trap a fizzing Frank Ribery cross before he lashed over just before half time as his frustration grew on home turf.
Just after the break Ribery thought he’d broken the deadlock only for his tap in from Robben’s deflected strike ruled out for offside as they continued to ask questions of a supremely disciplined Chelsea side. It took until the 83rd minute to break the Blue resistance as Muller stole in behind man of the match Ashley Cole to meet Tony Kroos’ deep cross to nod a downward header past Cech and put Bayern on the brink of a fifth Champions League triumph. But there was to be cruel twist in the tail as Drogba provided a stunning riposte five minutes later rising highest to power Juan Mata’s corner past Manuel Neuer to send the away support behind the goal into ecstasy and the game into extra time.
Just three minutes after the restart though Drogba rashly bundled Ribery over in the area giving Robben the chance to snatch the lead back only for Cech to save from his former teammate and keep Chelsea in the hunt. Blue hearts were in their mouths after Ivicia Olic stole in behind the Jose Boswinga but opted to cross as opposed to shooting and seeing the ball trickle wide as or substitute Daniel Van Buyten agonisingly tried to make contact.
But it was left to a straight shootout to decide a tensely, absorbing contest and Bayern looked to have one hand on the trophy as they raced into a 3-1 lead. But fighting back from adversity has been the overriding narrative of Chelsea’s season and Cech showed his mettle saving from Olic and Bastian Schweinsteiger giving Drogba the platform to complete his redemption and clinch the Champions League trophy.
