Chelsea vs Bayer Leverkusen: Champions League match review

I have failed to recollect a single instance in the last few years when the manager had decided to rest John Terry and Frank Lampard, two of the longest serving Chelsea players and the crux of the team when they were fit enough to play. Definitely, the decision has nothing to do with the fall of the Chelsea golaiths but simply based on what many are terming it to be a match deciding the course of the season : Chelsea vs Manchester United at Old Trafford this week. Such a big gamble could have proved to be detrimental and a dent in their renewed bid for Champions League glory. But the rest of the team managed to edge past a resilient Bayer team, thanks to some inspiration from the livewire of the team, David Luiz and a late strike from Juan Mata .

Chelsea got off to a winning start as they edged past Bayer Leverkuson 2-0 at Stamford Bridge last night. With the speculations rife about him, the unsettled Fernando Torres managed to give no fodder to his detractors as he had a good game throughout and managed two assists to come out of the match unscathed. David Luiz’s excellend curl past the Leverkusen custodian in the 67^th minute shocked Bayer who were in the game for most of the time. And with Juan Mata rounding off an impressive solo performance from Torres, Chelsea ensured Leverkusen returned home empty handed .

Such was the intensity of the match that there were 3 disallowed goals in the opening half itself. But the deadlock seemed to go on and on. But with AVB ringing in the changes in the second half bringing on Lampard and Anelka in place of Mereiles and Sturridge, Chelsea fans were left bemused at the gaffer’s decision. But it instantly paid off .

The first half was a story of so near yet so far with Sturridge, Torres and others testing the Leverkusen custodian. Both sides then saw goals controversially disallowed, Omer Toprak’s header from a corner ruled out for pushing and Torres’ flick denied by an offside flag against Raul Meireles, who tried to backheel the ball home.

And with Sturridge proving to be the livewire of the field, Chelsea were looking the more omnipresent threat. Michael Ballack, at the receiving end of a standing ovation from the Chelsea supporters almost silenced them when he broke past the Chelsea defenders but a brilliant save from Cech denied the Chelsea legend a fairytale comeback .

Second half started in a similar fashion and with the game seemingly looking a stalemate, AVB made the substitutions which immediately brought additional flair. However in the 67^th minute, Chelsea managed to break the deadlock ,thanks to some fine display of solo brilliance from Luiz who pushed the ball to Torres who reciprocated by placing it ideally in the path of David Luiz and he curled home a brilliant goal. Kiessling looked dangerous throughout the game but with Chelsea having upped their tempo through the brilliant Mata creating a flutter of opportunities and Anelka looking lively, they sealed the game and ultimately important points in the bag.