It is no news that the Bayern Munich failed to win the UEFA Champions League despite being favourites. In a match they clearly dominated in every aspect, the question remains: how did they avoid winning? They passed the ball well but were not incisive with the chances they created. When they did create chances, wasteful finishing cost them. They had a number of corner kicks and persistently delighted in wasting them. When Frank Ribbery chose to score, he was offside and the celebrations were short lived.
It was a final where pundits and experts worldwide had advised everyone to put their money on the Bavarians sighting a number of factors: Chelsea’s league table finish showed they were not good enough to be up there with Europe’s elite. Chelsea had no special players to rely on to create spectacular moments and indeed were without four key players including influential captain John Terry and Brazilian Ramires. More importantly, the final was to be played at the Allianz Arena home to the other finalist Bayern Munich. To put it another way, it was an insurmountable mountain.
Bayern Munich on the hand had a lot to their advantage. Their home form had been exceptional and it could not get any better when the final had been staged to be played at home. They had the special players in Frank Ribbery and Arjen Robben. Mario Gomez is the team’s highest goal scorer in the competition with 12 goals, only 2 less than the mercurial Lionel Messi. They had arguably one of the best keepers in the world to guard their goal in Manuel Neuer. It does not get better than these.
Somehow though, all of these analysts this writer no exception failed to look at another part of history to help predicting the future. On four occasions the finals have been staged at the Allianz Arena and four new teams emerged victors for the first time. This was probably the only odd in Chelsea’s favour that we made little of. Nottingham Forest became champions of Europe’s premier club competition in ‘79 with a lone goal victory over Swedish side Malmo. In 1993, Allianz Arena again hosted an epic final between AC Milan and French side Olympique Marseille. The French side claimed victory. Borrusia Dortmund beat Juventus in the 1997 final staged there also to cement a pattern. This year’s final was no different from the others played at the Allianz Arena: a team lifted the trophy for the first time.
On a tactical note, the final brought to the fore two football philosophies yet again. Catenacio played by Chelsea FC who were led by interim manager Roberto Di Matteo and Total Football played by Bayern Munich led by Jupp Heynckes. Chelsea’s defending was largely effective but that is half the truth. Bayern created chances again and again that begged to be put away. The English side relied on very few counter attacks that ended in nothing all the time. The Bavarians were guilty though of trying very hard to work the ball into the net. They could not convert from any of the 20 corner kicks they amassed. With the pressure mounting, it was a question of; when will Bayern score the solitary goal that should win the match? Thomas Meuller did eventually score a headed goal but was immediately rewarded by his substitution. The Bavarians however failed at defending Chelsea’s only corner of the night that resulted in Drogba heading home a late equalizer. Extra time.
Everyone was tired. Yet everyone had to put in one more thrust. Bayern resumed again what they had been doing with little success, retain possession, create chances and waste them. Someone had promptly tweeted: is there another goal post where this Bayern side aims? Mario Gomez, and indeed veteran Ivica Olic all failed to convert from close range. Someone or the other, Didier Drogba was about to turn zero from hero when he was adjudged to have fouled Frank Ribbery. Arjen Robben stepped up but refused to convert making a hero of Petr Cech in Chelsea’s goal. Why was Robben the only dead ball specialist for Bayern on the night? He took all the corners and penalty and was indeed wasteful all round. He was a tactical waste of effort and plan.
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| Celebration time. |
The match was to conclude with the inevitable lottery of penalty shootout. Here again Bayern were favourites. They were a German side after all taking on an English side. In the end though, it did not matter that Mata missed his spot kick. What mattered when it mattered was that the Allianz Arena jinx was not to be broken not even by owners Bayern Munich. Champions Chelsea.
Questions have started pouring out. Why had Bayern failed to make their chances pay? Should Mr. H. Jupp be retained after he failed to win any trophy? Should the most successful interim manager be retained as Chelsea’s boss next season?
This writer is of the view that Di Matteo should be retained. That is the opinion of Bayern’s coach also but given the opportunity to advise Di Matteo, he should resign. Roman Abramovic has no sentiment should Chelsea fail to win the EPL next season and in style. The EPL will be even more competitive at the top next season. Winning the Champions League might even be easier.
As for Bayern, there is no need to think about the need to fire Jupp. His team failed on three fronts this term and was guilty of profligacy when it mattered most. His refusal to devise another way to score in the final proves his lack of ingenuity. He should get a prompt butt.
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| Chelsea celebrate at home. |
Finally, football is such a dynamic sport. There is no one who has been always able to predict through any means the outcome. Psychics, prophets, analysts, pundits and even jinxes have all been wrong many times before. It is just unpredictable. Congratulations Chelsea to Football Club and teeming fans worldwide. Congratulations to Di Matteo for doing in a few months what many have been unable to do in many years. This success should undoubtedly bring others, the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup. Welcome Chelsea to the cream of Europe’s top.
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