A Tale of Two Finals: From Heartbreak to Glory

It’s been exactly a year since Chelsea lifted that Champions League trophy for the first time and created history. A year on, let’s take a look at the two finals which shall remain in every Chelsea supporter’s heart forever, evoking extreme emotions.

Moscow, 2008:

There were some concerns over the quality of the new artificial pitch that was laid out at the Luzhniki Stadium. However, these concerns were soon relinquished as the match got underway. Michael Essien played as the right back and was pitted against Cristiano Ronaldo in the most important match of Chelsea’s history. The Ghana international proved no match for Cristiano’s towering header from a Wes Brown cross which gave United the lead. But Chelsea came back into the match in the dying minutes of the first half through a characteristic Frank Lampard finish from close distance. In the second half, Chelsea came hard at the United defence with Drogba and Lampard striking the woodwork. United also had their moment when a Ryan Giggs shot was cleared by John Terry.

The match inevitably went into extra time with both the teams playing at a blistering pace looking for a decisive second goal. There was a fracas between the two sides, and Didier Drogba gets sent off for a slap on Nemanja Vidi? in what was to be a decisive juncture in the match.

The game went into penalties. This is the part when the Chelsea hearts start to bleed. John Terry stepped up to take the winning penalty, slipped and missed.

“And it will be left to John Terry, to take the penalty which could put the European Cup in his hands, the captain, the heart and soul of Chelsea Football Club with one kick of the ball to put the trophy in his hands.

Oh, He has missed it !

He has missed it !!”

Ironically, Didier Drogba was on the team sheet to take the fifth penalty.

The penalties went into sudden death, and Nicolas Anelka missed the decisive penalty.

That night, Chelsea players and supporters cried alike. The tears were drenched by the heavy rains lashing out that night. The image of a sobbing John Terry still comes to mind whenever someone mentions that day to a Chelsea fan. Chelsea was heartbroken.

Munich, 2012:

Chelsea had a spectacular journey to the final last year. They reached the summit after a heart-warming victory over Napoli topped off with an unbelievable and resolute performance against Barcelona in the semi-finals in one of the most difficult Champions League campaigns till date for the Chelsea team.

To play Bayern Munich in their home stadium was a daunting task in itself. To compete with an ageing squad and a mid-season managerial change made things much more complex. Most of these Chelsea players were seasoned warriors who knew the pain of defeat in a European final. They were looking for glory. They were prepared to do anything for the Holy Grail of club football.

As the match went underway, Bayern clearly were the more superior side, outflanking Chelsea in almost all the departments. However, Chelsea managed to nullify all the Bayern threats till half time through some very resolute defending and tactical organisation. However, the Bavarians inevitably scored the first goal through a Thomas Muller header in the 81^st minute. It was then that the fallen hero of the 2008 final stepped up and, with an almost superhuman effort, scored the equaliser for Chelsea which sent the visiting fans into raptures. Didier had scored in the 89^th minute. It was a stuff of legends. Game on.

In extra time, Drogba fouled Ribery in the box, much to the shock of the travelling supporters. However, Petr Cech had other plans and managed to save from a powerful Arjen Robben penalty. The game dragged on with both the sides now beginning to show signs of fatigue.

After 30 minutes, it was penalties all over again and that too against Germans. Was history going to repeat itself? Or was it going to be rewritten?

As luck would have it, the winning penalty went to the fifth penalty taker. This time it was Didier Drogba, who stood tall and slotted the ball home to achieve glory for the club.

“Didier Drogba, who couldn’t take a penalty in Moscow because he was sent off and that’s why John Terry stepped up. Goodness me! What goes around comes around.

Didier Drogba, i am going say it now ‘it is written in the stars’.

He has done it !!

The greatest night in the history of Chelsea Football Club, European Champions, they have beaten Bayern in their own backyard. They found the Holy Grail.” 

The night was magic. The night was glorious. Chelsea had finally fulfilled their dream of winning the Champions League. The demons of Moscow had been replaced by the angels of Munich. Looking back, it makes me wonder whether the glory in Munich would have been possible without the heartbreak of Moscow. The victory in 2012 tastes much sweeter after the defeat of 2008.