11 years ago, Chelsea defeated Bayern Munich in their own backyard on penalties to lift the champions league trophy for the first time in the clubs history. After suffering heartbreak to Manchester United on penalties in the 2008 final following John Terry’s slip, The Blues were desperate to taste European glory for the first time after being bankrolled by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich in 2003.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe game was a nervy affair, Chelsea being pinned back for large parts and it looked like the cup was heading to Munich for the fifth time when Thomas Müller headed Bayern ahead with seven minutes remaining.
Embed from Getty ImagesJust five minutes later, enter Didier Drogba. The Ivorian striker scored nine goals in ten cup finals throughout his career and didn’t falter on the biggest stage of all powering in an equalising header at the other end to level things up and allow blues fans to dream once again. When Petr Cech saved Arjen Robben’s penalty conceded by Drogba in extra time, their hopes rose even higher.
Off the back off neither team being able to find a winner the game would be decided by a penalty shootout. Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer had already inspired his side to a semi-final win against European giants Real Madrid and when Juan Mata’s very first kick for Chelsea was saved by the German, blues fans expected the worst.
But after Cech saved from Ivicia Olic and tipped Bastian Schweinsteiger’s effort onto the post, the illusive Drogba stepped up and converted the final spot kick, rolling the ball past Neuer and winning Chelsea their first every Champions league trophy in the process. Your City. Your Stadium. Our Trophy.
