UEFA Super Cup Match Report with full analyse and ratings: Chelsea 2-2 Bayern Munich (4-5 on pen.)

UEFA Super Cup Match Report: Chelsea 2-2 Bayern Munich (4-5 on pen.)

Chelsea felt a bittersweet taste of defeat as we were so close to defeat Bayern Munich if not for a late equalizer in the dying minutes of extra time. Fernando Torres had put Chelsea up with a bang inside 8 minutes when a beautifully worked counterattack was laid off to the Spaniard by Schurrle and El Nino made no mistake by placing it well in to the side of the net. Andre Schurrle has been a revelation in the opening few matches of the season so far as he started two of our biggest game at this early stage against Man Utd and Bayern Munich last night.

Let’s see how it all unfolded in Prague as the Blues’ miss out on the first silver ware of the season and lost out Super Cup finals in 2nd successive year although last year’s against Athletico Madrid was hard to swallow.

Starting 11s:   

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Cech; Ivanovic, Cahill, D Luiz, Cole; Ramires, Lampard (c); Schurrle (Mikel 86), Oscar, Hazard (Terry 113); Torres (Lukaku 97).
Unused subs Schwarzer, Azpilicueta, Essien, Mata.
Scorers Torres 8, Hazard 92.
Sent-off Ramires 86 for two yellows
Booked Cahill 41, Ramires 63, David Luiz 66, Torres 89, Lukaku 98, Cole 117, Ivanovic 119.

Bayern (4-2-3-1): Neuer; Rafinha (Martinez 56), Boateng, Dante, Alaba; Lahm (c), Kroos; Robben (Shaqiri 95), Muller (Gotze 70), Ribery; Mandzukic.
Unused subs Starke, Van Buyten, Contento, Pizarro.
Scorers Ribery 47, Martinez 120+1.
Booked Ribery 22, Boateng 83.

Summary: 

Prior to the game going to extra time, Jose Mourinho’s men lost Ramires to a second bookable offense, but they were back in front when Eden Hazard’s effort deceived Manuel Neuer to restore their advantage.

However, a tap-in from substitute Javi Martinez at the death sent the game to penalties, where Neuer’s save from Romelu Lukaku’s weak effort handed Bayern the trophy.

With doubts over the fitness of Martinez and Bastian Schweinsteiger, Bayern boss Guardiola elected to start right-back Philipp Lahm in a holding midfield position.

Mourinho, meanwhile, handed Torres a return to action after the striker had been benched for Monday’s 0-0 Premier League draw with Manchester United at Old Trafford.And it did not take long for the Spaniard to reward his manager’s faith, as he got on the scoresheet with just eight minutes on the clock.

Hazard was the catalyst, with the Belgian taking out two opponents with a jinking run before playing out wide to Andre Schurrle, who pulled back for Torres to smash the ball home.

Ribery almost provided a reply courtesy of a brilliant exchange with Mario Mandzukic at the edge of the Chelsea box, but he could not have expected Cech to somehow keep out his low curling effort with fantastic dive down to his left.

And he fired over from a similar position 10 minutes before the halftime whistle as Bayern was frustrated in its efforts to restore parity.

However, it did not take long for the newly named UEFA Best Player in Europe’s quality to shine through in the second period.

The Chelsea defense appeared to have the 30-year-old under control as he ambled toward the box two minutes after the restart but, from nothing, the winger produced a clever shift onto his right before thrashing past Cech at his near post to level.

The goal understandably buoyed a Bayern side reliant on possession and forced Chelsea into attempting to replicate the sort of rearguard performance familiar throughout its victorious 2011-12 Champions League campaign.But Mourinho’s men were the recipients of the best opportunities of the second half, with Branislav Ivanovic heading onto the bar and David Luiz nodding straight at Neuer after Oscar had dithered when through on goal.

Unfortunately for the Portuguese boss, his side’s hopes would receive a sizeable blow with just four minutes of normal time remaining as Ramires’ poor challenge on substitute Mario Gotze brought him a second yellow card and ended his participation.

But incredibly, it was Chelsea which took the lead three minutes into added time.

Hazard’s well-hit shot from the edge of the box looked destined for the safety of Neuer’s gloves but the Germany international somehow misjudged the bounce and allowed the ball through his hands into the back of the net.

A series of fabulous saves from Cech in the second half of added time – from Manduzkic, Toni Kroos, Xherdan Shaqiri and Ribery – looked to have clinched the trophy for Chelsea, but there was still time for more drama.

After 15 minutes of seemingly unrelenting pressure, substitute Martinez was the recipient of a fortunate bounce in the Chelsea area with just seconds remaining and tapped the ball past Cech to send the game to penalties.

Much like they had been throughout a fabulous contest, the two teams were faultless from the spot, but with Lukaku looking set to send the shootout to sudden-death, the Belgian produced a weak effort that Neuer kept out down to his left.

It’s a big learning and jelling occasion for this young Chelsea team as this group of lads have great potentials ahead of them in the coming years to come. The super Cup isn’t really a major trophy but, it doesn’t satisfy anyone to lose out on such occasions. The team worked hard and gave everything they had till the last minutes. Lukaku really couldn’t have done better at such difficult circumstances against a top team on a big stage. We will see how much it might affect and how he will respond in the coming years. But, clearly the best team lost and that was for all to see for people who watched the game.

Player Ratings: UEFA Super Cup defeat vs FC Bayern

Although all our players performed right up to their maximum potential and ability, Chelsea failed to win the Super Cup. As Jose said in his post match comments, The better team clearly lost last night. But, now let’s analyze and see how our players performed through out the 120+ minutes including penalties.

Chelsea FC: 

Petr Cech: 9.0 

Made one excellent save to deny Ribery, but a combination of poor Bayern finishing and disciplined Chelsea defending made his workload very manageable. Beaten at his near post by a superb Ribery strike. Made some crucial stops in extra time — including a stupendous one from a Ribery free-kick — but could do nothing to stop Martinez sending the match to penalties.

Branslav Ivanovic: 8.0

Bested Ribery in the air, troubled by him constantly on the ground. His technical limitations are also still a worry at times, even if his work rate is beyond rebuke.

Ashley Cole: 8.5

His personal duel with Robben was a source of constant fascination. One slip almost allowed Muller to level the scores, but overall the flying Dutchman didn’t get much past him.

Gary Cahill: 9.0

Marshaled the defensive line with impressive authority in the absence of Terry, and made one last-ditch block to deflect a Muller shot wide that was world-class.

David Luiz: 9.0

Made a couple of rash decisions to try and intercept passes he had no chance of making, but defended his penalty area superbly in his first appearance of the season. The Brazilian didn’t look completely like he was back from injury as took off right where he left of from his brilliant performances he had at Confederations Cup in Summer!

Ramires: 7.0

Not a factor on the ball as Chelsea willingly ceded possession, but did his bit to hassle Bayern whenever he could. His unfair sent off at the 84th minute kind of made another stumbling on a way of the Blues’ even though we managed to score and get closer to sealing a victory against the Champions Of Europe last season.

Frank Lampard(C): 8.0

Got precious little time on the ball and played high-risk passes when he got it, but held his position admirably and calmed his teammates. His set pieces were a threat too, provided he wasn’t shooting.

Eden Hazard: 9.5

Immense in the first half, turning Rafinha in the buildup to Torres’ goal and committing Bayern defenders almost at will. His influence waned a little after Martinez’s introduction, though he still had enough in the tank to score a brilliant goal in extra time.

Oscar: 9.0

Harried Kroos and Lahm relentlessly and used the ball intelligently when it fell to him. Missed a glorious chance to give Chelsea back the lead when Schurrle played him in.

Andre Schurrle: 8.0

Had the edge on Alaba at both ends of the pitch early on and picked out Torres brilliantly for the opening goal. Gradually found himself pinned back by waves of Bayern attacks, but defended doggedly until he was withdrawn.

Fernando Torres: 9.0

Took his goal with such calmness and poise that one wonders what has been going on for the past two years. Rarely threatened the goal after that though. Looks as if the Instinctiveness and desire has got back to Torres as he is now battling it out for a starting place against three other strikers in Jose’s team. Well done El Nino!

Subs:

 John Obi Mikel: 7.5

Replaced Schurrle when Ramires was dismissed, and provided a solid partner in the defensive midfield shield for Lampard.

Romelu Lukaku: 6.0

Replaced Torres in extra time and injected pace power and freshness into the Chelsea front line. Hit a poor spot kick and was punished in a high-quality shootout.

John Terry:  6.0 

Replaced Hazard with seven minutes left in extra time, denying his haters the chance to mock him for being in his full kit at the final whistle. Could have prevented Bayern from scoring as he was fresh and introduced to cover up the defensive line of Chelsea well against the Bavarians.

FC Bayern Munich

Manuel Neuer: 7.0

Did not have much to do in truth. Was powerless to prevent Torres’ opener, and held his nerve brilliantly to deny Oscar as the Brazilian bore down on goal after the break. Should have done better with Hazard’s strike.

David Alaba: 7.0

His battle with Schurrle was one of two halves. The Chelsea man took the first, he took the second. Really didn’t make much against the speedy wingers of Chelsea as Jose’s tactics were astute to stop them.

Dante: 7.5

Made an early error of judgement when he lost Torres in the buildup to Chelsea’s opener, but was his usual unruffled self otherwise.

Jerome Boateng: 7.0

His long, floated passes stretched Chelsea early on, but his influence waned as Oscar pressed him more vigorously. Did his primary defensive duties reasonably well, though Hazard breezed past him to put Chelsea back in front.

Phillip Lahm: 6.0

Deployed in midfield at the start, he used the ball well — but he is no Schweinsteiger. Quietened Hazard a little once he shifted to his favored right back slot, but sold himself far too easily at the crucial moment.

Rafinha: 5.0

Turned by Hazard for Torres’ opener, he never got to grips with the classy Belgian and was replaced by Martinez with more than half an hour of normal time to play. Almost as if Bayern were playing with 10 players. Non existent

Arjen Robben: 6.5

Not at his brilliant best, but then perhaps Cole didn’t allow him to be. His shots, dribbles and passes were mostly foiled, though he did create one excellent chance for Muller.

Thomas Muller: 7.0

His off-the-ball movement was excellent but his finishing touch deserted him. Replaced by Gotze in the 71st minute.

Toni Kroos: 8.0

Didn’t work as the deepest-lying midfielder early on. Far more comfortable once Martinez was introduced, and recycled possession well without being too incisive.

Frank Ribery: 9.0

The newly crowned UEFA player of the year, and his performance lived up to the billing. The one Bayern player who succeeded in ruffling Chelsea’s massed defensive ranks, his brilliantly taken goal shifted the momentum.

Mario Manduzukic: 7.0

Led the line selflessly and worked his socks off, but didn’t force Cech into a save until extra time, and the big man was equal to it.

Subs: 

Javi Martinez: 8.5

Quite simply, his introduction changed the game. Bayern was no longer porous through the middle, many of Chelsea’s key outlets disappeared and Hazard’s influence waned — until he scored a superb goal in extra time. But the Spaniard wasn’t done, and leveled the match with a composed finish in the dying seconds.

Mario Gotze: 6.0

Didn’t look totally sharp when he replaced Kroos, but drew the foul that saw Ramires dismissed. Otherwise, he was poor and we saw nothing from his hyped introduction to Bayern this past summer. Poor performance!

Xherdan Shaqiri: 7.5

Played 25 minutes of extra time but did not make the decisive difference. Looked kind of threatening with his dribbling skills and incredible pace.

Man Of The Match: Eden Hazard - Clearly a star of the night despite his team not coming out on top. He was all over the pitch as he worked tirelessly and he scored our 2nd Goal at Extra Time to what would have been a winner if it was not for a late equalizer from Martinez.

Flop Of The Match: Rafinha – It was a poor performance by the Brazilian as he failed to handle both Andre Schurrle and Eden Hazard on the wings. Poor display and was not even involved in his team’s possession play despite Bayern maintaining over 60% of the possession. Poor through out!