Chelsea FC’s 5 greatest upsets of all time
By George Perry
5. Chelsea vs. Benfica, Europa League final, 15 May 2013
Normally, the reigning UEFA Champions League champions are not the underdog for anything. Then again, normally, the reigning champions do not bow out in the group stage the following year.
Chelsea’s shambolic defense of the 2012 Champions League trophy would be exceeded only by their abortive defense of the 2014/15 Premier League title. Chelsea lost to Shakhtar Donetsk and Antonio Conte’s Juventus in the group stages of the 2012/13 Champions League. By finishing third in Group E, the Blues were relegated to the Europa League’s knockout rounds.
The loss to Juventus cost Champions League-winning manager Roberto di Matteo his job, and Rafael Benitez took the reins in November 2012. Benitez marched the Blues through the Europa League rounds, while overseeing an unsteady domestic campaign in the Premier League.
Coming into the Europa League final, the Blues were without several key starters. John Terry and Eden Hazard were injured the previous Premier League match against Aston Villa. Jon Obi Mikel and Demba Ba were cup-tied, and had to be left off the roster.
The instability at Stamford Bridge, continuing fan resentment around di Matteo’s sacking, the holes in the roster and the disappointment of having to play in the Europa League stacked the intangibles against Chelsea. The Europa League was Chelsea’s last hope for silverware that season, and would give them the dubious distinction of being the first team to simultaneously hold the Europa and Champions League titles for 10 days.
The match fulfilled expectations of tilting towards Benfica. The Portuguese side out-shot and out-possessed Chelsea, and the score was tied 1-1 after 90 minutes.
Three minutes into stoppage time, Branislav Ivanovic stole the upset for Chelsea, floating a header off of a Juan Mata corner.
Next: 4. Chelsea vs. Napoli, Champions League Round of 16