A Thriller of a UCL Final
Copyright ESPN Soccernet
I would have never thought that Chelsea would win the UEFA Champion’s League (UCL) title after viewing the first half statistics. Bayern Munich had 15 shots on goal to Chelsea’s 2. But as they say, goals win football games.
Thomas Muller put Bayern ahead with a spectacular headed shot in the 83rd minute after missing a few chances himslef. I though at that moment the game was over for sure but then Chelsea’s “main man” Didier Drogba scored in similar fashion in the 88th minute to level the game and send it into extra time. Boy, I was pissed!! I was hoping for a Chelsea loss so that Tottenham would make it to the UCL next season.
So on to extra time it went although Bayern had about 34 shots on goal to Chelsea’s five. I mean, these stats were phenomenal yet the game only produced two goals: one from Muller and Drogba.
Five minutes into extra time, Arjen Robben was taken down in the box and a penalty was awarded. Surely, that spelt game over for Chelsea. But no!! As luck would have it, Petr Cech saved the penalty and Chelsea was given a lifeline. Franck Ribery had to be substituted due to an injury in the 97th minute and this is where the game changed in my opinion. Bayern didn’t look as fluid after Ribery’s departure and looks uninspired and tired.
Extra time saw Bayern take eight shots on goal and Chelsea only got two chances but it wouldn’t matter because at the end of extra time the scores were still level. So the title would be decided on penalties.
Copyright ESPN Soccernet
In the shoot out, Bayern netted their first three while Chelsea missed their first but scored every other penalty. Bayern seems to lose concentration as penalty four and five were easily saved by Cech making him, more than Drogba in my opinion, the hero for Chelsea.
So in conclusion, I say congratulations to Chelsea and their fans and thanks for an exciting UCL final today. Robben should have scored that penalty but didn’t. That’s unfortunate but it happens. I’m looking forward to next season’s UCL as Arsenal will try to win it all, just like Chelsea did today.