Drogba praises Juan Mata as he opens up on Champions League victory

Legendary Didier Drogba of Chelsea has revealed that he was able to win the 2012 UEFA Champions League through the assistance of a teammate, Juan Mata in their final encounter against Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena.

The German Champions controlled almost every part of the game but squandered great goal scoring chances in the process. The blues on the other hand could be seen defending for their lives.

However, Thomas Muller initially broke the heart of the defensive minded blue's in the 82nd minute of the game after he headed the ball past Petr Cech into to the net.

At this point, it seemed like Bayern were the Champions of European Club Football until Didier Drogba rose up to the occasion. 

It was in the last minutes of the game when Chelsea earned their first corner of the match against Bayern who already had 18 corners. Juan Mata took the responsibility of swinging the corner kick in the opposition's box as Drogba ran forward to powerfully head the ball into the top corner of the net. His header was so sublime that it seemed unbelievable to the anxious fans.

The match went into extra time. During this period, Drogba committed a foul against a Bayern player and a penalty penalty was awarded against Chelsea.

Arjen Robben of Bayern Munich rose up to take the penalty but this time, Petr Chec beautifully saved it; rekindling the hopes of Chelsea and its faithful fans as the match went on.

After 120 minutes of a thrilling game, the match ended in a 1-1 draw and went into penalty shootouts. Once again, it was Drogba who eventually scored the defining penalty that gave Chelsea the prestigious UEFA Champions League.

Didier Drogba opened up on Chelsea's Champions League victory after 8 years. He explained via twitter:

• Eight years ago, the manager [Andre Villas-Boas] had been sacked by the club and we, the players, had a team meeting where we recognised being partly responsible for his departure.

• The captain @johnterry spoke, @franklampard @petrcech and other leaders in the team too.

• We decided to all give the Champions League everything, despite our defeat 4-1 to Napoli.

• We had been chasing this trophy for 8 years and could not do better than runners up. Everyone agreed to put egos aside and challenge each other for the same goal.

• After that meeting, I asked a young 23-years-old @juanmatagarcia ‘please Maestro, help me win the champions league.’

• He looked at me like ‘man you are crazy, you are Didier Drogba you are gonna help me win it.’

• I then told him I have been here for eight years and never won it, so I believe you are the one who is gonna help us win.

• I will even give you a present if we win it, that was February ending.

• Three months later, we were in Munich, in the Champions League final, in their stadium, submerged with a red wave.

• The hosts took the lead with eight minutes to go and on my way to kick the ball for the last 8 minutes I was so discouraged, the young man [Mata] said to me ‘believe Didi, you have to believe,’ almost in tears I answered after looking at the time score “believe in what? It’ is almost over, I am gonna cry like a few months ago when I lost the final with Côte d’Ivoire.

• Last minute, last corner, I mean the first corner for us against 18 for Bayern Munich.

• Guess who took that corner kick… @juanmatagarcia and the rest is history. The lesson is ALWAYS BELIEVE!

---

Share on Share on Share on