On this day eight years ago, Chelsea won their first-ever Champions League title, beating Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena on penalties.
May 19, 2012. Chelsea face Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena in the UEFA Champions League final. Four years after losing to rivals Manchester United at the same stage, the Blues have another chance to become European champions. Chelsea, managed by Roberto Di Matteo, do not have an easy task ahead of them, with stalwarts like John Terry and Branislav Ivanovic sidelined.
The situation was so grim that Di Matteo named Ryan Bertrand and Salomon Kalou as the two wingers in his starting lineup. After a goalless but event-laden first half, it looked like all might be lost for Chelsea when Thomas Muller put Bayern ahead in the 83rd minute. But, five minutes later, Didier Drogba levelled things up with a fabulous header – yet another clutch moment in a big game.
Drogba, though, nearly gave it all away later on in the game, conceding a penalty in extra time before Petr Cech bailed him out by saving Arjen Robben’s spot-kick. The game went into a penalty shootout, where Cech was once again Chelsea’s hero, saving Ivica Olic’s effort before Bastian Schweinsteiger missed from the spot.
Up stepped Drogba to take the decisive penalty and he made no mistake in beating Manuel Neuer for a second time in the game, making up for his earlier error in style. And so, David had beaten Goliath and a demon from four years ago had been exercised, as Chelsea won the UEFA Champions League for the very first time in their history.
