Chelsea FC 1-1 FC Bayern Munich (May 19th 2012)

Chelsea's squad celebrate on iconic night in Germany. Credit: Alamy.com

'83 Muller | '88 Drogba | Chelsea win 4-3 on penalties.
 

Four years after a penalty defeat in Moscow, the Blues faced another red side in the Champions League final.

If Chelsea's loss against Manchester United on a rainy night in Russia was the most painful night in their history, then losing Jose Mourinho as manager was a close second.

With his ghost still roaming the corridors of Stamford Bridge, the club attempted to move on fast. But not even a trio of coaching heavyweights Luiz Phelipe Scolari, Gus Hiddink or Carlo Ancelotti could get the Blues back to the promised land.

Enter former Chelsea midfielder Roberto Di Matteo. Most fondly remembered for his lung-busting run which lead to the opening goal in the 1997 FA Cup final, he'd been hurriedly promoted to the role of manager after Andre Villas Boas was given his marching orders.

Two months into the job, and with his old friend the FA Cup tucked once again under his arm (having beaten Liverpool two weeks earlier), a managerial novice would lead his beloved club out in the Champions League final.

Roberto Di Matteo rifles in the opening goal at Wembley Stadium in the 1997 FA Cup final. Credit: Thetimes.com

First half

The opening 45 minutes were filled with attrition and nerves as neither Chelsea nor Bayern carved out any decent chances.

Chelsea had it all to play for. Still in the first decade of Roman Abramovich's tenure, winning the biggest prize in European football remained the aim. Due to uncharacteristically poor form in the Premier League, going home empty-handed would mean no Champions League spot the following season.

Bayern Munich had similar woes. They ended their domestic season without silverware, losing to Borussia Dortmund not once but twice; eight points adrift in the Bundesliga and going down 5-2 in the DFB-Pokal final.

World leaders watched the final at the G8 summit at Camp David. Credit: Pete Souza

Second half

It took Bayern until the 83rd minute before they finally broke down Chelsea's dogged defence.

A clever cross from Toni Croos found Thomas Muller at the back post and the net rippled. 

Obviously when they scored there wasn't much time left. In games like these you need passion and players that rise to the occasion - Roberto Di Matteo

In a tense game that seemed destined for extra time, the Germans suddenly had one hand on the trophy thanks to a textbook downward header that bounced past a hapless Petr Cech.

But the game was far from over.

Thomas Muller wheels away in delight as he puts Bayern ahead. Credit: Alamy.com

Enter Didier Drogba.

The dramatic darling of Stamford Bridge had been sent off in the final four years earlier - but history wasn't about to repeat itself.

The Ivorian forward sent a bullet header past Manuel Neuer, tearing neck muscles as he swivelled to meet Juan Mata's pinpoint cross.

I was really scared that Frank would touch the ball, it was a perfect ball just in front of me. He jumped but I think he knew I was there so he left it. When I saw Neuer couldn't get it I just ran... And slid on my knees - Didier Drogba

Like so many before him Didier Drogba had banished his demons with a single goal, one that sent shockwaves through the German side.

Drogba draws Chelsea level on a dramatic night in Munich. Credit; The Independent

Extra-Time

The two managers, Pep Guardiola and Roberto Di Matteo, braced themselves for a nail-biting 30 minutes. And in what was to be his final game for Chelsea, it soon became the Didier Drogba show.

A clumsy effort to win the ball saw him bring down Franck Ribery inside the box. There was no need to make the tackle, but this was Didier Drogba - prone to rushes of blood to the head in important matches.

For his efforts, Drogba would receive only a yellow card.

The penalty would be taken by a former Blues team-mate, the dancing Dutchman Arjen Robben, and it looked like Chelsea were about to be dealt the cruellest of blows.

But Robben's effort was poor (he may also have been put off by a beachball encroaching into the sidelines) and Chelsea breathed perhaps their biggest sigh of relief.

Petr Cech gets down low to deny Arjen Robben. Credit: Daily Mail

Penalties

Dé jà vu. It means 'already seen' and at this point, there wasn't a fan or neutral watching who was expecting an outcome any different than the one in Moscow.

Sure. John Terry was suspended, it wasn't raining and Chelsea somehow had eleven men on the pitch, but this was Bayern Munich and Manuel Neuer, the best goalkeeper in Europe.

Enter Petr Cech. After Mata's spot-kick was saved, the peerless shot-stopper pawed away Olic's high effort with a massive hand to send the tie into sudden death.

Cech goes the right way again to make another vital save. Credit: GiveMeSport

The fifth player to the spot for Bayern was Bastian Schweinsteiger.

A product of their youth academy and in the prime of his career with ten major domestic trophies in his cabinet by this point, there was no way he would miss.

Cech guessed the right way but the ball grazed past his gloves, only to hit the post and bounce out. For the pain felt by John Terry in 2008, see Bastian Schweinsteiger in 2012.

Six times I went the right way. Four times I touched the ball. I believed it - Petr Cech

After 120 minutes of gripping football, the title hinged on what Drogba would do next. Frantic jeers from the Munich fans, agonising silence from the Chelsea fans, and then...

Normally I take five or six steps, but I know goalkeepers study these things, so just to disturb him (Neuer) I took two steps. After my first step I saw him moving and I put the ball on the other side - Didier Drogba

A stand-still strike into the bottom left corner turned the villain into the hero and nearly men into champions, leaving the Germans for the third time that season to wonder what might have been.

Somehow Chelsea survived the scares, battled away the doubters and managed to make history. Against the odds, Chelsea won the UEFA Champions League for the first time.

Chelsea remain the only club in London to win the Champions League. Credit: The Mirror

Where are they now?

As was the case in 2012, Chelsea are not favourites to win the Champions League with odds of just 40/1.

Bayern, five times winners of the competition, are third favourites at 6/1.*

Domestically the Germans are in better form, one point clear at the top of the Bundesliga with just four points separating the top four teams.

Chelsea however can no longer win the Premier League, with Liverpool dominating this season, and are realistically expected to finish fourth.

And while Chelsea's squad looks invigorated by youth, Bayern still carry three players from their miserable night in Munich - Thomas Muller, Manuel Neuer and Jerome Boateng.

* Odds correct as of 18/02/20. See Oddschecker for the latest Champions League odds.

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Watch highlights of Chelsea's victory over Bayern in the 2012 Champions League final: