5 Things That Helped Chelsea to the Champions League Glory

5 Things That Helped Chelsea to the Champions League Trophy

Chelsea survived missed penalties and missed chances on the way to glory while the interim manager proved inspired.

1. MISSED PENALTIES
Lionel Messi at the Camp Nou and then Arjen Robben at the Allianz Arena; two spot-kicks that should have sunk Chelsea but instead failed to hit the net and kept their dreams of European glory alive.

2. MISSED CHANCES
Napoli, Barcelona and Bayern Munich created enough chances in their respective ties with Chelsea to have each won the Champions League10 times over, but they were crucially wasteful, Barcelona especially.

3. WELL-TIMED STRIKES
The margin of victory over Barcelona was fine and, as such, the closing seconds before half-time in both legs of the semi-final tie should be cherished by Chelsea. Didier Drogba scored in that period at Stamford Bridge before Ramires did the same in the return game.

4. SACKING SAVIOUR
The firing of André Villas-Boas after just nine months as manager looked like another reckless move by Roman Abramovich, but he will reflect on that decision with huge satisfaction now. Roberto Di Matteo came in and galvanised the squad towards its greatest moment. The change was an inspired one.

5. DEADLY DROGBA
In what is set to be his final season at Stamford Bridge it was perhaps written in the stars that the Ivorian would make a final, decisive impact.