What an emotional night it was! 22nd May 2008 will go down as one night that every FOOTBALL fan will remember as the great battle for European supremacy.
We all knew it would be one of the greatest matches with 
unarguably 
Europe's two strongest teams going head to head against one another. Could it be a night for Sir Alex's men, who were in frame for the 2nd trophy within a span of 10 days or would it be Chelsea, who had all to play for after disappointingly loosing out to Manchester United on the last day of the season. And so it lived up to its reputation!
unarguably 
Europe's two strongest teams going head to head against one another. Could it be a night for Sir Alex's men, who were in frame for the 2nd trophy within a span of 10 days or would it be Chelsea, who had all to play for after disappointingly loosing out to Manchester United on the last day of the season. And so it lived up to its reputation!
It was nail biting stuff right from the word go and if anyone had predicted the final result at the start of the match would have been one hell of a psychic! 26 mins: Yes, big game player 
Cristiano Ronaldo opened our account with a leap frog header to beat the unmoved Pter Cech. But Chelsea was one never one to give up so easily. Lampard capitalized on a United error and slotted one in just minutes before the halftime whistle. It had been a half where United dominated, but the scoreline told another story. 1-1 it stood at halftime. In the 2nd half it was Chelsea who came out the stronger side, with Avram Grant's team talk seeming to pay dividends. Chelsea spurned 2 great chances - one of Drogba, who would later be involved in arguably the turning point of the match, and the other from dangerman Frank Lampard who also hit the bar. Would these misses be costly for Chelsea? Only time would tell. Man Utd on the other hand had a wonderful counter where Evra bombed down the left flank and did everything right, only for Cech to palm off an effort from Giggs to save them from the blues. The referee then blew for 90 minutes and the score remained 1-1, and we were into 30 mins of agonizing extra time.
Cristiano Ronaldo opened our account with a leap frog header to beat the unmoved Pter Cech. But Chelsea was one never one to give up so easily. Lampard capitalized on a United error and slotted one in just minutes before the halftime whistle. It had been a half where United dominated, but the scoreline told another story. 1-1 it stood at halftime. In the 2nd half it was Chelsea who came out the stronger side, with Avram Grant's team talk seeming to pay dividends. Chelsea spurned 2 great chances - one of Drogba, who would later be involved in arguably the turning point of the match, and the other from dangerman Frank Lampard who also hit the bar. Would these misses be costly for Chelsea? Only time would tell. Man Utd on the other hand had a wonderful counter where Evra bombed down the left flank and did everything right, only for Cech to palm off an effort from Giggs to save them from the blues. The referee then blew for 90 minutes and the score remained 1-1, and we were into 30 mins of agonizing extra time.Both teams looked tired and you could tell with the players resting and getting some relaxation for those tired calf’s to avoid cramps. The first extra time went by with no real talking points. Into the 2nd half of extra time - which is one which Chelsea fans will remember more than Man Utd fans. With 5 minutes to go, and the penalty shootout looming, the players get involved in a scuffle and the tension between the 2 teams battling it out for Europe's to
p prize seems to be boiling over. Didier Drogba, Chelsea's key performer of the season is seen slapping Nemanja Vidic and gets unnecessarily sent off! Yes, an experienced international like Drogba - who I'm sure, would have been the first few names on the sheet for a shootout - gets the marching orders and Chelsea are down to 10 men. Turning Point one would say? Could be! The hardest 5 mins go past and yes, the 2008 Champions League final at Moscow in the Luzhniki stadium was to be decided in a Penalty Shootout!
p prize seems to be boiling over. Didier Drogba, Chelsea's key performer of the season is seen slapping Nemanja Vidic and gets unnecessarily sent off! Yes, an experienced international like Drogba - who I'm sure, would have been the first few names on the sheet for a shootout - gets the marching orders and Chelsea are down to 10 men. Turning Point one would say? Could be! The hardest 5 mins go past and yes, the 2008 Champions League final at Moscow in the Luzhniki stadium was to be decided in a Penalty Shootout!
It was down to the team that held their nerve and the players who would either be remembered as greats for their club or be villain's forever. Finally, after all the drama, in which Ronaldo, missed only his 2nd penalty of an otherwise perfect season and John Terry's whose spot kick could have won it for Chelsea, h
ad he not slipped to put it wide - some might recall the slip that David Beckham had in the world cup which put England all but out of the cup! Now it was anyone's game. May the best team win and boy did they. Ryan Giggs fittingly put Utd's winner past Cech and VDS - saved a Nicolas Anelka penalty which looked to be a little soft.It was a night where the passions were rising, emotions were high, and I had never ever been so Proud of my team ever. I honestly believe Man Utd had the right blend of experience and youth along with Sir Alex's gift to mould a team of Champions. Surprising that it was that Man's only 2nd European Cup Final! I felt most happy for him and for the team who he has called as 'his greatest ever'. I never watched the '99 treble winning season but I'm sure the feeling would have been nothing less then what I was feeling last night after our DOUBLE. I felt bad for Grant, who has been given such a hard time by the critics - no one knows if he will stay or go, but hey give it up for the fellow getting Chelsea so far and for doing something almost near impossible at the start of the season after Mourinho's exit from the Bridge. John Terry - battled hard, but came under the scanner for his penalty which he will never forget. I can't say I understand what he's going through, but I'm sure it sure as hell isn’t one he will cherish in his lifetime. Lampard - a real orchestrater in mid-field - did well for Chelsea once again but to no vain. Well played Chelsea for an amazing game of football, where I really feel complete when Man Utd lifted the trophy and were crowned - CHAMPIONS OF EUROPE!
RED DEVILS CELEBRATIONS!
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