Chelsea FC throughout its 115-year history has a reputation of being the underdogs and thriving in conditions that seem against them. When things look grim, the true Chelsea FC shines and here we’ll list down the top 3 greatest ever comebacks by the Blues.
#1: Chelsea vs Bayern: 2012 Champions League Final
How could anything else top this list? Beating the mighty Germans on their own turf on penalties despite the absence of key players like John Terry and Ramires, in the Champions League final is the stuff ultimate triumph. After amazing comebacks against the likes of Napoli and Barcelona in previous rounds, the Blues managed to repeat it yet again. With their backs against the wall, Chelsea FC faced 37 shots on goal but managed to keep their clean sheet until the 83rd minute. Thomas Muller scored at the back post and it looked as if the Blues’ dream run was finally over. But Didier Drogba stepped up and powered in a header which sent the game to extra time. Drogba gave away a penalty early into this extra time but Cech managed to save Robben’s powerful penalty to keep the Blues in the game.
The game went into penalties where Juan Mata missed before Lahm, Gomez and even Neuer scored putting Chelsea FC on the brink of defeat. Olic and Schweinsteiger then fluffed their lines giving Drogba the chance to roll in the final penalty and to give Chelsea FC the much-awaited Champions League title.
Score: Chelsea 1-1 Bayern
Scorers: Drogba (Chelsea)
Muller (Bayern)
Highlights- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBP7QQYN1IU
#2: Barcelona vs Chelsea: 2012 Champions League Semi-final 2nd Leg
Chelsea FC faced Barcelona in what has turned out to be quite the modern-day rivalry. Both teams have terminally different ideologies which make the battle even more interesting. Pep’s Barca played every game with the lion’s share of possession while Chelsea relied on quick inter-play and counter-attacks.
The first-leg ended in the favour of the Blues as they won 1-0, courtesy to a Didier Drogba goal on the counter. The second-leg started in disastrous fashion as John Terry was sent off for violent conduct and the Blaugrana’s scored two quick goals to gain the advantage in the tie. It was seeming to be a long 90 minutes for the Blues in Cam Nou until Ramires scored on the verge of half-time through an audacious chip over Victor Valdes.
The 2nd half, as predicted, was one-sided, with Barcelona having all the possession. Chelsea FC defended bravely and were inching closer to winning on away goals. As time was running down, Barcelona looked desperate and threw everything at Chelsea FC when Torres got a chance and ran clear of everyone, before he rounded Victor Valdes to complete the comeback sending Chelsea FC to their 2nd Champions League final.
Score: Barcelona 2-2 Chelsea
Scorers: (Ramires, Torres) Chelsea
(Busquets, Iniesta) Barcelona
Highlights- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9KXiuSt1Wo
#3: Chelsea vs Ajax: 2019 Champions League Group Stage
Chelsea FC were placed in an interesting group which consisted of Ajax, Valencia, and Lille. None of the four sides looked specifically weak in comparison to each other.
Chelsea FC’s campaign started off on the wrong foot as they got beat at Stamford Bridge against Valencia, thus placing them in a very tough situation. Back to back victories at Lille and at Ajax got the Blues back in contention for qualifying. In the fourth round, Ajax turned up at Stamford Bridge seeking revenge for their 1-0 loss weeks ago.
The match started in explosive fashion as both teams found themselves on the score sheet within 5 minutes of gameplay. Ajax scored through a Tammy Abraham own-goal while Chelsea FC managed to get the equalizer after Pulisic was fouled in the box and Jorginho converted the subsequent penalty. Ajax scored two more goals before half-time through Promes and an Arrizabalaga own-goal. Chelsea FC were 3-1 down and expectedly started the second half in an attacking mode. Things, however, turned from bad to worse as Van De Beek scored another for the visitors on the counter.
Most teams would lose all hope after being 4-1 down but not Chelsea FC, and especially not at Stamford Bridge. The Blues soon got their reward, as Azpilicueta scored from close range to reduce the deficit to two.
In the 70th minute, the most controversial decision of the 2019-20 Champions League was given as both of Ajax’s center-backs were sent off in the same play. Blind was given a second yellow for a foul but the referee allowed Hudson Odoi to take the shot from the loose ball which resulted from the tackle. Joel Veltman was given the second yellow as well, as he looked to have handled the ball to stop Hudson Odoi’s shot.
After a lengthy VAR check, the referee stuck to his original decision and sent off both the players. Jorginho got his second goal of the match as he converted the resulting penalty.
Chelsea FC were always more likely to score the next goal and it came within minutes, as substitute Reece James volleyed home to become Chelsea FC’s youngest European goalscorer. It was also the first time an English side had come back from three goals down to gain something since Liverpool’s comeback in the 2005 Champions League final.
Score: Chelsea 4-4 Ajax
Scorers: (Jorginho X2, Azpilicueta, Reece James) Chelsea
(Abraham (OG), Promes, Arrizabalaga(OG), Van De Beek) Ajax
Highlights- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kWq4UlA7SQ
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