#3 2012: Chelsea 1-1 Bayern Munich (4-3 pen.)
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19th May, 2012. The biggest day in the history of Chelsea Football Club. The Blues were set to face Bayern Munich in the Champions League final after having participated in one before in 2008. However, it didn’t end the way they had hoped for as they lost to arch-rivals Manchester United on penalties four years back, with John Terry embarrassingly missing what would have been the winning spot kick by slipping on a rainy day in Moscow.
This time, however, the team was in inspired form as an incredible comeback in the last-16 against Napoli saw them gain momentum under interim coach Roberto Di Matteo. A semi-final date with defending champions Barcelona, arguably the greatest club side in history with Pep Guardiola at the helm and the world’s best player in Messi looked set to oust the West London side.
But at the end of the two legs, it was Chelsea going through as a dramatic draw in Camp Nou, with Messi missing a penalty, saw the side win the ticket to Munich.
Bayern Munich awaited though and just to make matters a bit more tough in the finals at the German champion’s home ground, the Allianz Arena. The Germans dominated the game culminating in Thomas Muller giving them the lead in the 83rd minute. But this was Chelsea’s year and their enigmatic striker Didier Drogba was determined to win them the trophy, as he scored a bullet header past Manuel Neuer in the 88th minute to level the game.
Extra time, and Drogba was being chastised for giving away a crucial penalty away, one which could end their title hopes. But Cech had other ideas as he stepped up and saved Arjen Robben’s shot to send the match into penalties. This time, however, Chelsea were ready for it as Ivica Olic’s spot-kick was saved by their Czech custodian whilst Bastian Schweinsteiger went on to hit the post.
It all came down to that man Drogba again and he calmly sent Neuer the wrong way to clinch the club’s first ever Champions League title.
