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Again it is the late English fight back which wins another trophy for another English team. This time it’s Chelsea who displayed brilliant skills and rode on the shoulders of their favourite son Didier Drogba to snatch the Champions League title, 4-3 after the penalty shootout from the clutches of the Mighty Bayern Munich who despite playing at their own backyard failed to win the 
championship.
This time it was not John Terry but Bastian Schweinsteiger who found post instead of the net in the final penalty kick for Munich and thrown the cup away. Whereas the iced cold Didier Drogba kept his cool and fooled Neuer to the right side and sealed the first European championship for the London club. Earlier in the second half it was his header which took the match into the extra time. The crunchy header from a critical angle was a visual delight, hit Neuer like a rocket and went inside the post.
The match was a partial repetition of the 1999 final when Munich was succumbed to defeat with injury time goals from Manchester United. Last night they again paid the price for their terrible mistakes. The withdrawal of Thomas Muller in the late second half was a costly decision as little had they thought that fate had something different in store for them. Barely three minutes had past, Chelsea equalised.
That turned the match around and Chelsea never looked back. The Thomas Muller goal in the 83rd minute could have sealed the match but equaliser by Drogba helped to extend the match. The wasted chances of the Munich players proved to be costly especially when Arjen Robben’s missed the penalty in the extra time. The despair and the disappointed were clearly visible when inconsolable Schweinsteiger hid his face behind his shirt and teary Robben lay on the grass.
Bayern repeatedly missed chance after chance as time eventually went past 120th mark and penalty shootout was evident. Philipp Lahm put Munich forward with the first penalty kick while Juan Mata’s effort was saved by the Neuer. After that every player scored until Cech saved Olic’s shot and gave Chelsea the upper hand first time in the match. Ashley Cole scored and the pressure came right on Schweinsteiger to hold the match for Bayern. He missed the kick and it was left for Drogba to script the history.
As the boys in blue celebrated the moment in front of Munich’s fans, Drogba went to the Schweinsteiger and Robben to console the bravery which they had shown throughout the game but their missed penalties were decisive. The Chelsea defenders must get the credit for their tremendous effort to block the shots and slam the gates.
It is completely against the odds. Chelsea was literally written off from the championship but they came from behind to win the match against Napoli which was the turning point in the competition. They were 10 men down to Barcelona and even down to 1-0 today when minutes seemed a necessity. The never say die attitude or the deadly late attack is the provider of the belief that it is never too late to score.
Months ago, almost every critic raised their voice against the growing age of the Lampard, Drogba and Cole and written that they were finished. They produced the biggest victory for the club and gave the critics an answer with the Champions League win and becoming the 5th English team to do it.
What can one say about the rookie Roberto Di Matteo? He came as substitute, implanted the self belief and put their nose forward. First he won the FA Cup and now the Holy Grail. It would be a shame if he is not retained for the head position to defend the cup in the next season.
Time has now come to open the countless happiness and joy. The gala reception on streets of London is waiting for the men in blues. The reds will have to take a break as this year is strictly for the blues.
