Chelsea’s Previous Routes to Champions League Glory 

Chelsea’s route to Champions League glory in past!

On March 17th, Chelsea were handed their reward for defeating Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Champions League round of sixteen. Well, if you can call it a reward. The Blues progressed to a quarterfinal tie against reigning champions Real Madrid in the quarterfinals, the same team they faced at the same stage last season. As we all remember, it was Los Blancos that came out victorious on that occasion thanks to some late heroics. Oddschecker, which compares football odds and offers, makes the reigning European and Spanish champions the favourites to repeat that feat once again this season.

Graham Potter’s side can take confidence from their clash with Carlo Ancelotti’s men, however. Despite enduring a turbulent season at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea have begun to turn a corner in recent weeks. They have won three of their last four games in all competitions, and it looks like their plethora of January signings – acquisitions that cost the club a whopping £323 million – are beginning to gel.

But there can be no doubt that Chelsea are on the difficult side of the draw this season.

The winners of Chelsea’s tie against Real Madrid will face off against the winners of Manchester City vs Bayern Munich for a place in the Istanbul showpiece. On the other side of the draw, the winners of Napoli vs AC Milan will face off against the winners of Inter Milan vs Benfica for a spot in the final. Its clear to see which side of the draw is weaker.

There are a number of similarities between the ongoing campaign and Chelsea’s maiden European triumph back in 2012. They have changed managers mid-season and their form has been well below par. But the side have reached the latter stages of the Champions League, and success – as was the case 11 years ago – is still a possibility. But how was Chelsea’s route to the final back then?

Semifinal Heroics in 2012 

Back in 2012, Roberto Di Matteo took interim charge of Chelsea and immediately led them to the Champions League quarterfinals with a come-from-behind victory against Napoli. There they met Benfica, who are also quarter finalists this year. The Blues knocked off the Portuguese side with a minimum of fuss, before facing tournament favourites Barcelona.

That game proved much more difficult but, as we all remember, Chelsea performed heroically in both legs of that final-four clash, particularly in the Nou Camp. Di Matteo’s men found themselves two goals and a man down in Catalonia, before Ramires pulled a goal back, a goal which would see Chelsea through to the final if they could hold on. The second half was an onslaught, but The Blues held firm, and Fernando Torres memorably scored a goal on the counterattack in injury time that sent the club to the final.

In the final, Chelsea met Bayern Munich, whose stadium was chosen to host the showpiece event. More defensive heroics, as well as striker Didier Drogba shining under pressure, ensured that the European Cup headed to Stamford Bridge for the first time in the club’s history.

Chelsea’s Previous Routes to Champions League Glory 

2021’s Toughest Test Came in the Final 

Chelsea met Portuguese opposition in the quarterfinals of the 2021 edition of the tournament. They handily defeated FC Porto before setting up a semifinal against Real Madrid. This was a Los Blancos side that was struggling somewhat, and the Blues picked up a draw in the Bernabeu. Then, goals from Timo Werner and Mason Mount secured their spot in the final, nine years on from the cub’s finest hour.

In the final, Chelsea faced off against a Manchester City side that had been sweeping all before them. They were well on their way to another Premier League title that season and were expected to breeze past the Blues in Porto. That never came to pass. Instead, Kai Havertz’s first-half goal gave Chelsea the victory and their second UEFA Champions League trophy.

Whether the club can go on to pick up a third this season remains to be seen, but their path to the final will certainly be more difficult than in years gone by. But with either Napoli, one of the Milan clubs, or Benfica waiting in the final, the Blues will certainly fancy their chances, should they get there.

See More:

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here