Chelsea and
Bayern contesting penalties is becoming a familiar sight - the Germans were
left heartbroken in 2012 as Chelsea beat them in Munich to win the Champions
League on spot-kicks. This competition might not have the same status as that
competition, but Bayern will feel they have gained a degree of revenge tonight.
The huge banner showing off the five trophies
Bayern accumulated last season needs to be updated now. "Oana Basst No
Nei," read the accompanying message from Bavaria. Translation: "Room
for one more."
Yet amid all the late drama it was also true that
Chelsea could have won the match in more orthodox fashion.
Chelsea had caught the eye with blistering
counter-attacking football and the cutting edge provided by Fernando Torres.
He put the Europa League champions ahead after
eight minutes and one cannot help thinking he may have been a better bet to
take that final penalty, had he not been swapped for Lukaku six minutes into
extra time
But the truth has to be said, this final showed that their never say die spirit
is back.
From the organised defence to the lightning-quick
attackers, Chelsea look to be a formidable force. Despite the eventual penalty
shootout heartache, the Blues will be able to build on this outstanding
performance throughout the rest of the season.
Here are 5 things we learnt from the match
MOURINHO
HASN'T CHANGED A BIT
The Special one has
definitely not lost his spot. Many would have though the Chelsea Boss who is
now 50 won’t be involved in controversial comments or bust ups anymore. However
it seems he is not planning on stopping just yet. Here’s his comment after the
match.
“I have a fantastic
experience of playing with 10 men in UEFA matches so I could react and coach my
players so that even with 10 men we could compete and find a way to score a
goal.”
Whether he makes it
through the season without receiving a fine or a touch line ban remains to be
seen, but Chelsea fans and neutrals alike will be looking forward to seeing
what else he gets up to over the season.
GUARDIOLA
NEEDS TO FIX HIS DEFENCE
If Bayern did have a
weakness, it was in defence, as demonstrated by the way they opened up for
Hazard to come in from the left, step inside Lahm and Jérôme Boateng and lash a
shot past an obliging Neuer.
With Badstuber still weeks away from returning
to action, Guardiola needs to bring in one fantastic defender before the window
shuts in 3 days.
CHELSEA’S
DEFENCE IS ROCK SOLID ONCE AGAIN
Chelsea's reputation
as a bus-parking defensive unit was lost last season as they whimpered out of
the Champions League and put in a lacklustre display at the Club World Cup in
Japan.
The Blues had to
defend with great togetherness and try to catch refined opponents on the
counter-attack. Most of all it was a night for their defenders to excel. Cole,
once again, rose to the big occasion. David Luiz with 12 clearances showed why
Chelsea have repelled Barcelona's advances.
Gary Cahill with seven
blocks epitomised their efforts with two saving tackles to block near-certain
goals for Thomas Müller in the first half, then Shaqiri towards the end of
extra-time.
Cech's night was undermined by his slow reflexes for Ribéry's goal.
That apart, however, this was a marvellous performance from the goalkeeper who
made 10 saves.
It is clear that the
Chelsea back four are fearsome once more.
DAVID
LUIZ IS A BORN LEADER
Romelu Lukaku was
distraught when he missed the final penalty of the shootout. Within seconds,
David Luiz appeared at his side to console him and keep his head up. That
action speaks volumes as to why Chelsea have ignored all reported interest in
the defender. Here's his tweet afterwards
Sometimes we need to lose,to win in the future! You are fantastic my friend @romelulukaku9 ! #CFC http://t.co/rOTJfTMWW0
— David Luiz (@DavidLuiz_4) August 30, 2013
It is an accepted fact
that the Chelsea board view Luiz as the first-choice club captain when John
Terry retires. His leadership and morale boosting qualities are plain to see,
and if he can develop a good relationship with Jose Mourinho, there is no
reason for him to want to leave the club, now or in the future
HAZARD
CAN BE MOURINHO’S X FACTOR
Eden Hazard carried
the ball through the centre and in doing so left Rafinha, the right back, in
his wake. The Brazilian made some panicky attempts at matching his stride, but
to no avail. Hazard fed Andre Schurrle and his cross was met first-time by
Torres with a simply ferocious shot that beat Neuer in Bayern’s goal.
In the
first half of the exra time he played the “Ribery role” for the Blues cutting
in from the flank and beating Neuer who was inexplicably slow to react. The 21
year old Belgian influence on the team is now very glaring now with the absence
of Juan Mata and he could just be the “Cristiano Ronaldo” Mourinho needs at
Stamford Bridge.
Thanks for reading!
Thanks for reading!
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