Chelsea

Not Munich – Here are 3 memorable European nights for Chelsea including this 4-4 thriller

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Chelsea opinion: Three incredible European nights for the Blues

Juventus pulled off a spectacular comeback to beat Atletico Madrid after Cristiano Ronaldo’s stunning hattrick helped The Old Lady win 3-2 on aggregate. Comebacks like this have been quite common in Europe over the years but they never cease to amaze us.

Champions League winners of 2012, Chelsea thrashed Dynamo Kiev 8-0 Ona aggregate to progress to the quarterfinals of the Europa League. The Blues have had a few memorable nights in Europe apart from that famous night in Munich and here are three of them.

Chelsea 2-1 Benfica – UEFA Europa League final 2013

After failing to get out of the group stage of the Champions League, Chelsea dropped down to the Europa league in 2013. The Blues comfortably made it to the final of the competition after beating the likes of Sparta Prague, Steaua Bucuresti, Rubin Kazan and Basel on their road.

Rafa Benitez’s men opened the scoring in the 59th minute after Fernando Torres rounded the keeper to give the Blues a deserved lead. Benfica equalised from the spot after Cesar Azpilicueta handled the ball in the box. Oscar Cardozo buried the ball past Petr Cech with a little over 20 minutes left to play.

The game looked like it was headed to extra time but Branislav Ivanovic’s stoppage-time winner helped the Blues lift the title.

Chelsea 4-4 Liverpool – UEFA Champions League quarter-final 2009

After a brilliant 3-1 victory at Anfield in the first leg, Liverpool faced Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in one of the greatest games in Champions League history.

Gus Hiddink’s men were shell shocked in the first half hour as Fabio Aurelio’s free-kick and Xabi Alonso’s penalty gave the visitors a 2-0 lead on the night.

The Blues went in to the break on a low but their second-half response was quite superb. Didier Drogba and Alex took just 12 minutes to level the game up as Chelsea looked certain favourites to go through.

Frank Lampard scored the third in the 76th minute but a resurgent Liverpool scored twice in as many minutes, thanks to goals from Lucas and Dirk Kuyt.

The Blues at this point still led 6-5 on aggregate but were stunned before Lampard finished Liverpool’s hopes with a minute left to play. The game ended 7-5 on aggregate and was filled with drama from start to finish.

Chelsea 4-2 Barcelona – UEFA Champions League round of 16 – 2005

Jose Mourinho’s side took on an incredible Barcelona side in the first leg at Stamford Bridge. The Blues went into the game as the underdogs but ripped the Catalans to shreds in the first 20 minutes of the game.

Goals from Eidur Gudjohnsen, Lampard and Duff gave the hosts a 3-0 lead by the 19th minute before Ronaldinho equalised from the spot 8 minutes later. The Brazilian magician scored another goal in the 38th minute, reducing the deficit to just 1 goal at the break.

The Blues held on despite pressure from Barcelona in the second half before John Terry’s 76th minute flick restored the Blues two-goal lead. The Blues held onto to their 4-2 lead in their second leg and won the tie  5-4 on aggregate.

Shamanth Jayaram

24-year old Electrical engineer turned football writer, born and brought up in Bangalore.

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