Chelsea FC: Memories of Munich, Two Years On

Two years ago today, Chelsea FC outlasted Bayern Munich to win their first ever European Cup. Not only did Chelsea defeat the dreaded Bavarian menace, they did so in the Allianz Arena, their home ground, completing the greatest season in their history.

Chelsea came into the final missing club captain John Terry, midfielders Ramires and Raul Meireles and Branislav Ivanovic through injury or suspension. Chelsea handed left back Ryan Bertrand his Champions League debut in the final, as a midfielder at that.

I had begun supporting Chelsea on a consistent basis during the 2007/8 season, after being an on and off follower from around 2004. A good friend of mine brought me to the club, and I spent afternoons watching dodgy internet streams of the Blues as they marched on towards glory both at home and abroad.

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I recall watching the 2008 Champions League final (held in Moscow) against the hated Manchester United, led by Cristiano Ronaldo. I remember the nerves of that match as a newcomer, being disappointed and frustrated at Didier Drogba’s dismissal, and feeling that horrific feeling as JTs penalty was sent sky high as he slipped on the wet pitch, knowing we could have clinched the cup then and there. Van der Sar saved Anelka’s final attempt, and the Reds lifted the cup. It was heartbreaking, and I had fallen head first for CFC.

In 2012 we overturned that 3-1 scoreline against Napoli in a classic match at Stamford Bridge. We beat Benefica home and away. We drew the dreaded Barcelona for the semi-finals. 1-0 to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. We were confident, but the early dismissal of John Terry in the 2nd leg had Chelsea fans worried, especially after a Sergio Busquets goal drew Barcelona level after 35 minutes, and an Andres Iniesta goal put Barcelona ahead after 43 minutes.

But in the dying seconds of the first half, Ramires escaped the Barcelona defenders, chipped the keeper, and we were ahead on away goals. In the 93 minute, Fernando Torres was sent clear of the defense, rounded the Barcelona keeper and slotted in a goal to send Chelsea fans (and Gary Neville on commentary) mad with delight, and propel Chelsea into the final against Bayern Munich.

May 19th, 2012.

I had to work.
At the time I was still working as a student facilities worker at my alma mater, Michigan State University. It was 2 weeks after Chelsea had won the FA Cup (the day I graduated from MSU), and I was scheduled to start work at 3pm, just after the start of the 2nd half.

Thankfully however, I was a supervisor and the match was on Fox, and I knew our little TV in the maintenance office could still get Fox. I knew very little would get done on my end that day.

The first half was tense, both sides trading chances. Former Chelsea man Arjen Robben, tabbed to have an impact against his former club, missed a few glaring chances to put Bayern ahead. However in the 83rd minute, Bayern finally broke through. Toni Kroos crossed the ball in, Tomas Mueller headed the ball down. The bounce off the turf sent the ball over Pert Cech’s head, off the crossbar and into the net.
1-0. 7 minutes left.
It felt as if it were all over for us.

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But Chelsea were not done. In the 88th minute, little Juan Mata took a corner, swinging it into the box.

Didier Drogba rose to the ball and the occasion once again, sending a towering header past Manuel Neur. He had scored in another cup final, our hero again. 1-1, 2 minutes left before extra time. Drogba nearly sealed the win in the 93rd, but his free kick was sent just over the bar.

In extra time Drogba nearly became the scapegoat of another European Cup final when he brought down Franck Ribery inside the penalty box. The referee pointed to the spot, and Arjen Robben stepped up, hoping to send the home fans happy. Didier Drogba must have gotten inside his head, because Robbens effort was low and weak, and Petr Cech saved the effort.

Penalties. Again.
Bayern took the first kick, Phillip Lahm’s shot to the left was deflected by Cech but still managed to hit the net. Juan Mata’s first attempt for Chelsea was saved by Neur. Mario Gomez scored for Bayern, and David Luiz buried a rocket into the top corner for Chelsea. Neur took a penalty for Bayern, and while Cech guessed right on the direction, he just missed the ball. Super Frank Lampard scored, 3-2 for Bayern. Cech saved the next Bayern attempt by Olic (he had gone the right way on 3 of the first 4). Up stepped Ashley Cole, and the England man buried his shot past Nuer, leveling the score and bringing on sudden death.
Bastian Schweinsteiger stepped up. Cech saved it onto the bar.

It all came down to this. One kick to win the trophy. Up stepped Didier Drogba.

What came next, was history.

Martin Tyler: HE’S DONE IT!! The greatest night in the history of Chelsea Football Club! European Champions! They’ve beaten Bayern in their own backyard! They’ve found the holy grail after adventure fraught with danger!
Gary Neville: They’re crying. It was Drogba, it was the angels, it was the heavens, it was the stars, it was the gods, it was everything for Chelsea.

I get chills down my spine still, two years later, at hearing those words. I had tears, I couldn’t speak at first. My coworkers thought I was insane, but I didn’t care.

19th of May in the European calendar is written as 19/05.
Chelsea FC was founded on the 10th of March, 1905 across from the ground at what is now the Butchers Hook Pub

Written in the stars indeed.

UTC.

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