Uefa Champions - 2012

Up stepped . He had scored in every major final he’d played for Chelsea. He placed the ball, took a deep breath, and sent Neuer the wrong way. The Aftermath: A King’s Farewell The image of Drogba running toward the Chelsea end, sliding on his knees, arms wide, is etched into football iconography. But perhaps even more powerful was what followed: Drogba, minutes later, walking alone behind the goal, knowing he was leaving Chelsea. He had delivered the one trophy the club had always craved—the European Cup.

Then came the breakthrough. , who had been a constant menace, rose at the far post to head home from a Toni Kroos cross. The Allianz Arena erupted. It was Müller’s 14th goal of the Champions League campaign. Surely, the trophy was staying in Germany. uefa champions 2012

They had scraped past Napoli in the round of 16, produced a heroic defensive display against Barcelona in the semifinals (despite Terry’s red card), and arrived in Munich without key suspended players: Terry, Branislav Ivanović, Raul Meireles, and Ramires. Up stepped

But , the Czech goalkeeper who had endured a season of head injuries and criticism, guessed correctly and dived left to save Robben’s spot-kick. It was the kind of save that changes destinies. The Penalty Shootout: Redemption and Roar After 120 minutes, the final would be decided from 12 yards. The tension was unbearable. Juan Mata missed Chelsea’s first, striking weakly at Neuer. Bayern had the advantage. The Aftermath: A King’s Farewell The image of