UEFA Super Cup Review – Bayern Munich v Chelsea

The build up to the game was dominated by the renewed rivalry between the two managers. Both managers were playing down the rivalry between the two and both wanted the focus to be on the players.

This was a rematch of the 2012 Champions League final where Chelsea won on penalties, but I didn’t expect the same outcome this time. The European champions have got a much stronger squad now even with a couple of injuries going into the game.

I was expecting Bayern to dominate the game and for Chelsea to get a goal or two on the counter attack. Before the game, I was expecting a 2-1 win for Guardiola and Munich.

Even before a ball was kicked, the Bayern supporters looked fired up for the game whereas at the other end the Chelsea fans were relaxing. Bayern fans were jumping up and down and shouting, at the other end it was more static. It could have been static because of the confidence they have in the special one.

There was a lot at stake, at the end of the day it was some silverware. It was also a Champions League taster, so both teams were definitely going for the win.

With only three minutes on the clock, there was already a scrap between Luiz and Mandzukic although I think it was just pure passion to win the game. As well as the feisty start, it was also an end to end start with plenty of counter attacks.

Chelsea dealt the first blow, and surprisingly it was Torres who scored. Hazard’s powerful run created room for him to give it to Schurrle who whipped it in for Torres. The Spaniard hit it first time, and it flew into the top corner from inside the 18 yard box. Just that strike showed what Del Bosque and Mourinho have at their disposal, but they rarely use him. The attack started from a Bayern attack where Ribery scuffed a shot well wide of the mark.

Both teams were posing a threat with Munich having the majority of the ball, but Chelsea had the goal. I know which one I would rather have as a manager and team.

As the mid way point approached, Chelsea were forcing their opponents to shoot from distance and from the look on the players’ faces they were frustrated. However, with the quality of opposition they still nearly conceded when Ribery’s low curling effort was just turned away by Cech.

Guardiola calmed his players down and you could see they were taking advice from their boss because they were passing a lot more since the goal. The Spanish style was starting to open up Chelsea, but it was the Blues who had the next best opportunity.

Torres was allowed to turn inside the area and get a shot away. It had too much power in the strike and it was always rising, but it was helping his confidence having a few chances against the best team in Europe. The number nine yet again linked up with Schurrle, I don’t want to jinx it but could this be the route back to Torres’ top form.

As the game grew, Chelsea as well as Torres gained confidence because they looked solid and hit on the counter more and more. They were in the driving seat.

The main threats for Munich were the wingers who constantly cut inside to get shots away. They did have a lot of the ball, but Chelsea were excellent off the ball and not even a Barcelona-esque style could break them down. An overall perfect display,there was nothing else to say after forty five minutes.

Early in the second half, Chelsea wasted an opportunity after Schurrle took advantage from a loose Lahm pass. He gave it to Hazard who tried to continue the move but his pass was too powerful.

Hazard regretted the mistake shortly after because the European footballer of the year scored the equaliser. His low effort from distance had plenty of power behind it to deny Petr Cech a clean sheet. The shot found the bottom corner, but the Czech number 1 should have got more onto it to push it away.

The momentum was with Bayern, and the fans realised it and gave their team further support. The goal knocked some of the confidence out of Mourinho’s side and it felt as of this was at the Allianz arena.

Against the run of play, Chelsea had the next big chance after Dante slipped. The ball broke to Oscar who took too much time and that allowed Neuer to reposition and save the Brazilian’s effort. The ball fell to Lampard who volleyed from outside of the box, but it went over the bar.

The sights of goal were coming thick and fast and both sides had great chances but none were taken. The majority of the opportunities were in Bayern’s favour but the Blues had a few here and there.

Pep made a change with just over 20 minutes to go when Muller made way for Gotze. I think this change was just to add some fresh legs because it was like for like as far as the change was concerned.

It was looking increasingly likely that the game would go on for another 30 minutes, although it was a game you couldn’t take your eyes off. The next big chance came Chelsea’s way following a Lampard corner which took a nick off Luiz to find Ivanovic who thundered his header against the bar. Neuer was completely beaten.

The big question around the ground was would Munich, a German side with a few Germans, loose another shoot out.

There was a game changing moment with 5 minutes to go when Ramires was shown a second yellow card for a foul on Gotze. I feel he was unlucky to get sent off because the number 7 was there first.

Mourinho used his experience and following the dismissal he brought on Mikel to replace Schurrle. Just before the sending off, David Luiz should have done better with his header because it was a relatively simple save for the German international. He should have directed it better because it was a perfect delivery from the skipper.

Inside stoppage time, Chelsea had a free kick which was taken by Luiz but it hit the wall to start another attack for the German team.

So yet again it had to go to extra time to try and decide a winner. This is the last thing the Portuguese would have wanted because his team were down to 10 men.

The good thing or possibly bad thing for either team was that the Super cup had never been decided on penalties before.

The ten men from Stamford Bridge took the lead with just over two minutes inside extra time. Hazard cut inside Lahm and continued his run to the edge of the box to create room for a shot, and what a shot it was. It was low and powerful, but Neuer should have dealt with it better. He was wrong footed and just watched the shot go beyond him. Great play from the young Belgian, and you saw how much it meant to him because he ran to his boss to celebrate.

Another like for like change was made by the former Barca boss when Robben was taken off for Shaqiri. It was just to give his team something fresh. Mourinho also made a change which saw Torres make way for the young Lukaku. The Spaniard yet again scored in a European final, if only he could repeat his European form in the league.

From then on, it was all about defending and inviting pressure. Probably not the best idea against the team who put 7 past Barcelona over 180 minutes but it worked. The German champions pressed but to no avail.

Mandzukic tested Cech with a couple of outstanding headers, but the Czech’s reactions were second to none. To help Chelsea with their defending, Terry was brought on for Hazard.

There was late drama in Prague when Martinez finally beat Cech to take it to penalties. To make it worse, it was the last kick of extra time.

This time Terry did actually play a part in a European final but Chelsea didn’t win. Lukaku missed his penalty which cost his side the trophy, it will damage his confidence but he will come back a better player especially if he comes back to the Hawthorns hopefully.

It was a promising game from a Chelsea point of view because they gave the Champions League winners a run for their money. I think that this could really help their season because it will give some confidence in the league and the Champions League.

It was a typical Mourinho style performance. Towards the end of the game when they become to tire, they relied on their keeper but for the most part he had a quiet game. The defence was solid throughout with Cahill being the stand out man for his numerous amount of blocks and tackles.

Franck Ribery was Bayern’s best player and he was helped by Alaba who raced forward so he could cut inside and shoot with his stronger right foot. For his reward he scored a goal in normal time and converted his penalty.

The players took central stage and they played a great game which was so intriguing. Unfortunately for Lukaku he was at the centre of the stage for the wrong reasons, I feel gutted for him but he will become a top quality player.

It was the opposite to the Champions League final because Drogba scored the spot kick to give his side the trophy for the first time. The baby Drogba missed the penalty that gifted the super cup to Bayern Munich.