2012 UEFA Champions League Final: Chelsea Wins On Penalties

Unannounced before the match, Schweinsteiger told the the supporters, “I’ve extended my contract and I’m staying with Bayern until 2016. Long live Bayern!” He followed that up with this statement to the club’s website: “I’ve said often enough that I want to win the Champions League. But the question for me is this: is that better with Real Madrid, Inter Milan, some other club - or with Bayern Munich? I think I’ve answered that question clearly and unmistakably. We can achieve a lot here.” Turning down the riches that lay before him at a club like Real Madrid and staying with Bayern made him a hero in the eyes of some.

The hero from the semifinal stood waiting. The whistle blew, and he struck. Thud.

As Didier Drogba stepped up to the penalty spot on Saturday evening, he looked unaffected by the gravity of the situation. If he made his penalty, he would capture the trophy that he was brought to Chelsea to win ... in 2004. Whether or not he made the spot kick, it was likely to be his last kick of the ball as a Chelsea player. It was far and away the biggest moment of his professional footballing career and the biggest moment in the history of Chelsea FC. He looked unaffected.

Bastian Schweinsteiger failing to convert his penalty was the biggest moment of the final. From then until the match’s conclusion, there wasn’t really any suspense. It never felt like Chelsea still had work to do after Petr Cech tipped Schweinsteiger’s shot onto the post. That was the match’s defining moment, because everyone knew who was up next.

Ribery appeared to put Bayern ahead in the 53rd minute, but his goal was disallowed. Chelsea gave the ball away on an attack down their right and Bayern put together a fantastic counter. Arjen Robben teed himself up for a shot, which was blocked, but the deflection fell right to Ribery. He finished, but he was flagged for offside, and correctly. He was just a couple of inches off.

Even with that less than ideal lineup, Bayern won a penalty right at the beginning of extra time. With Drogba stuck back on defense, he was caught reacting late on the edge of his own box and he brought down Franck Ribery. Robben stepped up to the spot, but hit a poor low shot right at Cech, and the Chelsea keeper saved easily.

Update: Chelsea defeat Bayern Munich 4-3 on penalties, win UEFA Champions League final

I personally hate penalties, whether I’m a fan or a neutral. They’re cruel and evil and do nothing more than lead to blood pressure problems...but that’s just me. No doubt hearts are beating like crazy, some fans likely cannot watch, the Champions League will be decided by one of the most exciting, excruciating and brutal creations that mankind has ever come up with. The only thing worse is of course the Thunderdome.

The short break seemed to help Bayern settle down and catch their breath.

The chance inspired Bayern, who looked much stronger as the final minutes ticked away. Still they were cursed by poor decision-making in the final third and erratic finishing that was totally uncharacteristic of this team. We’ve got five minutes left and penalties are looming.

Update: Chelsea defeat Bayern Munich 4-3 on penalties, win UEFA Champions League final

The first 15 minutes of extra time ended with Chelsea looking much better on the attack and appearing to have the fresher legs. Bayern’s passing isn’t as good as it once once and their touch is letting them down as well. Could be an interesting final 15 minutes of extra time at the Allianz Arena.

Wow, what a chance for Bayern and, even worse, Ribery was unable to continue, replaced by Ivica Olic.

At the moment, shots are 35-7 in favor of Bayern, corners 17-1 in favor on Bayern, time of possession 56%-44% in favor of Bayern...but the only thing that matters is that the goals are even at one.

Will we see more goal are we destined for penalties? Let’s find out!

Update: Chelsea defeat Bayern Munich 4-3 on penalties, win UEFA Champions League final

Just a reminder of how extra time works in soccer: The teams will play two 15-minute halves, with a short break between. There are no “golden goal” rules so the teams can score as many goals as they like in the 30 minutes. Should the two sides remain tied after the extra period, we’ll go to the most exciting and painfully excruciating way to decide a sporting event known to man, the penalty kicks.

Potential hero Thomas Muller was subbed out of the match shortly after putting Bayern in front. Daniel van Buyten entered the match in a clear defensive move by Jupp Heynckes. It didn’t work.

What a stunning turn of events as Bayern looked ready to lift the trophy. The looks on the Bayern supporters’ faces are priceless at the moment.

At last Bayern Munch found their goal!!

Cech made a desperate play at the ball, but he had no chance to stop the header as it bounced hard and past him off the inside of the crossbar and in to the net. Bayern’s fans went nuts, the players celebrated with a dogpile and most important, they’ve got the goal and the lead.

Chelsea have parked the bus, there’s no pretense of attack now. It’s all about surviving until extra time and possibly trying to get lucky on a counter attack. To their credit, Bayern are staying patient and working the ball around well looking for a chance.

It may not have been a goal, but it was a clear warning to Chelsea that Bayern are getting closer and closer to breaking down their stubborn defensive setup. The tension is building in Munich, my typing is getting worse. Surely a goal is coming soon?

Update: Chelsea defeat Bayern Munich 4-3 on penalties, win UEFA Champions League final

Bayern Munich were far and away the better side for the first 35 minutes of the UEFA Champions League final, but they failed to convert on their chances and they have let Chelsea back into the match. The score is locked up at 0-0 after 45 minutes of play, and the Bavarians will be very disappointed that they allowed Chelsea to get into the locker room and regroup without going down a goal.

Given how the match is progressing, you have to think that Chelsea will need to do better with chances like that since they are spending the rest of their team desperately trying to keep Bayern from finding the match’s first goal.

Bayern answered but after Ribery made a fantastic pass in the box to a charging Gomez, it was completed wasted as the forward decided to take a touch rather than just unleashing a shot. The ball bounced harmlessly out of play.

Last update, Bayern have about 65% of the possession but as we all learned a couple weeks ago, that means nothing if you can’t take advantage and put the ball in the net. On the bright side for the Germans, they’ve looked much more likely to score early that Barca did.

It goes to figure that just as I try to credit Chelsea a little bit for trying to get forward, a couple nicely executed counters from Bayern have quickly forced the Blues right back in to that all so familiar defensive shell. I suppose I can’t blame Di Matteo for forcing his side to compact defensively, but it doesn’t mean I have to enjoy it.

Aside from a couple decent chances for Bayern, the most entertaining element of the match so fair is the spider that’s been shaved in to the back of Salomon Kalou’s head. I’m not kidding, he’s got a giant hair spider on the back of his head...it’s creepy.

It’s far to early to tell how the more attacking minded setup with affect Chelsea, but at least it’s a more entertaining setup that what we saw in their semi.

The importance of the first five minutes was heavily stressed by various talking heads in the build-up, it was all about how frantic and crazy it would be. Well, it’s was fairly clam. Bayern had the better of possession but a majority of the time was spent with the two teams running in to each other in the midfield as everyone settled in. Bayern did earn a corner in the 5th minute, but they failed to take advantage when an eventual shot from Kroos went wide.

We’ll have live coverage and updates throughout the game in our 2012 UEFA Champions League Final StoryStream. For more on Bayern, head over to Bayern Munich blog Bavarian Football Works. For more on the Blues, check out Chelsea FC blog We Ain’t Got No History. For more on the entire world of football, follow @SBNationSoccer on twitter.

On paper, Bayern’s missing players are likely to hurt them more than the Blues. Diego Contento is starting at fullback in place of Alaba, while Tymoschuk starts in the central defense but could move in to the defensive midfield should Kroos or Schweinsteiger struggle. Daniel van Buyten would likely sub in to the defense should an adjustment prove necessary.

With both defensive midfielder Luiz Gustavo and left back David Alaba suspended for the Champions League Final, an irregular starter for Bayern Munich could find a starting place. Croatian international Daniel Pranjic only has nine starts and 16 total appearances for Bayern this season, but due to his ability to play either central midfield or left back, Jupp Heynckes will be tempted to put him in the lineup.

We’ll have updates throughout the week in our 2012 UEFA Champions League Final StoryStream. For more on Bayern, head over to Bayern Munich blog Bavarian Football Works. For more on the Blues, check out Chelsea FC blog We Ain’t Got No History. For more on the entire world of football, follow @SBNationSoccer on twitter.