Well, it was a physically intense match. Chelsea defended with 9 men only (it's better than 10 against Barca lol) while Bayern did 60 minutes of brilliant rapid football. They had so many chances that I lost count but they were too inconsistent. Chelsea barely got chances but at every of their offenses, it seemed like one defensive mistake could cost Bayern; despite the huge fans behind them.
The intensity of Bayern midfielders dominated Chelsea's who didn't try to defend. Nonetheless, both Lampard and Mata did a brilliant match. Lampard was really clean too regulate the midfield while Mata linked well. The two wingers - Robben and Ribery were good. No surprises there but I still don't like them. One duel that got my attention was Ashley Cole and Lahm. It was passionate to see how both were perfect defensively. Barely any mistakes from both. Luiz and Cahill did better than expected after Ivanovic and Terry's absences. Muller missed many chances but did the best at the end. Torres did an energetic entry - better than his ghost appearances. Gomez was much invisible while Drogba's power proved better offensively.
Both goals came from headers which surprisingly were badly stopped by goalkeepers. In the extra-time, Chelsea was more dominant since they were better armed physically and were more endurance. The turning point came with the Extra-time penalty in my eyes. I felt that the penalty was pretty soft; though there was foul. In fact, Ribery already had cramps - so he felt even faster on slight contact. Robben's penalty was soft. The thing is that left-footed players shouldn't shoot on the right or shoot softly on penalties in my opinion. Left-footed players generally don't confuse goalkeepers.
In fact, not only Robben but even Olic was a left-footed and missed his. Analyzing deeper, the shots of Cole and Lahm were barely saved; all to say that you risk a lot in PKs with left-footed players. Both goalkeepers did a brilliant session but unfortunately, Schweinsteiger (Bless me if I spelled it correctly lol) was too stressed. He waited and waited to see if Cech gave any indication but when he didn't saw any, he tried to put it as near the post as he could. He lacked power and in fact, touched the post. Drogba, on the other had, well, couldn't miss it.
He's the Man of the Match for a reason. Hell, he's Chelsea's man of the season for a reason. Deep down against Napoli, when 95% of people considered them dead and he woke them up. He was the No.1 motivator against the exploit against Barca. And the Ivorian responded present again - scoring such a crucial goal and the decisive penalty.
Congrats to Chelsea. They did it against all the odds and that's fact. Th exploit of Di Matteo is beyond applause-worthy. Yet, I'm still doubtful that Roman will keep him. He fully deserves IMO but Abramovitch always messed up with his choice of managers at crucial time and I'm not sure. Still, he finally won his most coveted prize - the Champions League. Will that change trigger a change in taste?
Speaking of extension and deserving - Drogba again !!! To me, he should get his 2 year contract. He finally pulled his team to his long with his old consorts - Cech, Lampard, Terry ect...
Sympathy to Bayern and while many hotheads will still argue that Bayern or Madrid or Barca deserved it more, at the end, football is the ultimate decider. In the end, it's the green pitch which make or break dreams. Beyond skills to make, beyond tactics to succeed, beyond teamwork's possession, beyond everything - football remains a sport where the most determinant and strong-willed team can clinch it against all odds. It's a British victory and that what makes me the happiest. Possession, Skills, Tactics, Domination, Statistics - all those go to water against the fiercest of will that awards victory.
Italian modernized defensive football, Spanish amazes with teamwork, German electrifies with their total football but England simply created football !!! It's in their gene and to promote that culture, they know that hardwork, determination and concentration might the most crucial factors. On a bigger picture, perhaps that's the lesson we could take from the heroic 2011/2012 Champions League Winners - CHELSEA !!!