2012 Champions League Final

Well, the Champions League Final may not have been a masterclass of artistic football, but for sheer drama and suspense, it will take some topping!  The longer the match progressed, and as each new twist was unfurled, I kept thinking to myself that their "name was on the trophy".

This is not to decry Chelsea's efforts.  Petr Cech and Didier Drogba may grab the headlines, but the entire team, and the back-line in particular, displayed great resilience and determination in keeping the team afloat under severe pressure.  From what I could see, the team rarely lost its shape completely, and also managed to maintain some discipline and morale, although they did ride their luck in the penalty area on occasion.

People have opined that Bayern were unlucky, and it is true that they dominated possession for much of the game, and played most of the constructive and composed football.  Their midfield in particular had much more creativity and versatility about it than that of Chelsea, and as anticipated Robben, Ribery and Thomas Mueller posed a constant threat.  Having said all this, however, Bayern were profligate in their finishing, and ultimately paid the price for not putting the match to bed earlier.

Chelsea, when they did get the ball, tended not to keep it for long enough, particularly in forward positions, with Drogba isolated at times.   They did generate a touch more fluency in their play towards half-time, and Kalou forced a save from Neuer on 37 minutes.

Although the Londoners would have felt relieved that it was still scoreless at half-time, Bayern Munich continued their relentless pressing after the break.  Despite this, the longer it remained at 0-0 the more heartened Chelsea would have felt, to employ a well-worn cliche.  They were creating few chances, but the defence, and Ashley Cole and Gary Cahill deserve special credit, were still defiant, Cole rising to the occasion and taking on responsibility.

There was a danger for Bayern that they might run out of ideas as the second half progressed, and even if their passing and approach play became slightly less crisp and incisive, they still dictated proceedings. The Thomas Mueller goal, late though it was, had a certain inevitability about it.

Then came Drogba's dramatic equaliser, and personally I thought at that time that the pendulum was swinging Chelsea's way.  The psychological impact of the levelling goal, the introduction of Fernando Torres, and Bayern's removal of Muller from the fray.  However, as we went into extra-time there were yet more twists....

Chelsea might have felt emboldened at the outset of extra-time, but the decision to award Bayern Munich a penalty in that first additional period was undoubtedly correct, Drogba clearly clipping Ribery, and not making contact with the ball. 

Not only did Petr Cech's penalty save further bolster galvanise Chelsea, but Ribery was forced off with an injury, presumably stemming from the Drogba foul.

Then, of course, came the penalty shoot-out....

Much attention will now focus on the future of Roberto Di Matteo.  After reaching the summit, will the Chelsea owner feel able to appoint the Italian to oversee some team rebuilding, or will that role be entrusted to a more experienced coach?  We shall see...