Glory, Glory Chelsea!!!

European Champions!

In my write-up on Chelsea’s win over Barcelona, I tagged it…”It was written in the stars”. Those were the words that kept playing in my head as Bayern struggled to move Chelsea’s ‘parked bus’, in the Champions league final game that saw Chelsea run out 4-3 winners in a penalty shootout. Penalties were resorted to after the game ended 1-1 in normal time. The disciplined Chelsea side, held of the attacking threats of Bayern Munich until the 83^rd minute, when Thomas Muller headed home at close range to put the hosts ahead.

Muller Scores

Normally, this could be very demoralizing to any team, as the goal came in the dying minutes of the game. But the London side is known for their never-dying spirit, which they displayed once again, as the man for the big game, Didier Drogba rose to the challenge and used his head to guide home the equalizer in the 88^th minute. This surely dragged the game to extra time.

Final Strike

At extra-time there was a dramatic moment were the Chelsea Hero, Drogba, nearly turned villain; his tackle clipped the legs of Frank Ribery which resulted to a penalty. But as in previous cases were Robben has stepped up to such responsibility and failed, he did it again by failing to put the ball past Cech who was in superb form on the day. Though both sides made flashes of attempts to end the game at extra time with a goal, time ran out and penalties was the last resort of deciding the winner after 120 mins of pure football.

It was tense because Germans are known as good penalty takers, and even used this means to eliminate Real Madrid enroute the Final. Moreover, they have in post a good keeper, Neuer. On Chelsea’s side, the memories of 2008 when they lost to Man U in Moscow will quickly come back to their minds, and probably haunt them. But that was not met to be, as Schweinsteiger and Olic’s misses ensured that Drogba’s calmly struck ball delivered the trophy to the Roman Army.

Delivered!

For those who believe in fairytales, this will be yet another one added to the collections, owing to my analysis of Chelsea’s run to the Final in my last post. Di Matteo must be a proud man, the Chelsea players, especially the Old Guards (Terry, Lampard, Drogba and Cole) must be very proud, Roman Abrahamovic is fulfilled, as this is what he has craved for and invested over £1 billion into.

 My take on the match is that I can confirm to you now that Chelsea are currently the most disciplined side, defensively. Can you imagine their cohesion, even without defensive big-weights like John terry and Ivanovic! That’s what I term DETERMINATION. John Mikel Obi displayed a masterpiece of action on the night….the last time I saw him play like that was 2005 in the World Youth Championship where he was adjudged second best player in the tournament, behind Mighty Messi. Drogba…what more can I say about a player that ALWAYS rises to the BIG occasions and delivers. He did not only deliver the equalizer, but all struck the all-important last penalty that handed them the cup. Di Matteo has also impressed me overall, with his matured, knowing calmness, coupled with his tactical selection that must have prompted him to start young Bertrand to pair A.Cole in tracking the runs of Robben and Lahm.

Composed Matteo

The game is over, the season is over, Chelsea are Champions of Europe. What’s next? Will RDM be given the job on a permanent basis? Is he worthy and proven?

Let’s have your say….

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