Bayern are too strong for Chelsea
THERE was to be no miracle in Munich this time.
Only another cold, cruel dose of reality for Chelsea, who for the second time this season discovered at the hands of Bayern Munich just how wide the chasm remains between them and Europe’s best.
If the damage in this last-16 tie was done in February, when Bayern’s 3-0 win arguably flattered Chelsea, the Germans needed no invitation to rip open old wounds.
Robert Lewandowski and Ivan Perisic soon stretched the aggregate lead before Tammy Abraham put Chelsea on the board. After Corentin Tolisso fired home and Lewandowski found a late fourth, six goals separated the two teams. That felt about right.
Lampard insisted there was little Chelsea could take from iconic turnarounds or from their last trip here in 2012 — when he captained them to European glory.
Instead these 90 minutes would tell their own story and after the ‘harsh lesson’ of the first leg, this showed how much Chelsea still have to learn.
‘It made it clearer how I see us — good and bad points — and where I want us to go,’ Lampard said. ‘It was disappointing to lose but we will be back.’
Lampard, who wants more new faces, added: ‘We don’t normally think finishing fourth is a good thing, that isn’t our level’. But, he accepts, his side ‘have to be humble and work hard’.
Hansi Flick’s side reassumed control immediately and quickly extended their lead.
After 10 minutes, Thiago picked up possession inside his own half and within a few seconds, the visitors had been carved open. Serge Gnabry slid a pass into Lewandowski, who was brought down by Willy Caballero.
The referee said penalty, his assistant offside. As sweat dried on Chelsea brows, the VAR backed the former call. There was a yellow card for Cabellero and Lewandowski converted.
Bayern’s second came midway through the half. This time, Mateo Kovacic gave the ball away in midfield and Lewandowski pounced. As Chelsea backed off and home reinforcements arrived, the No 9 kept his nerve, waiting and waiting before feeding Perisic to score.
Chelsea did at least respond and three minutes later Callum Hudson-Odoi curled a beautiful effort beyond Manuel Neuer. It was a fitting reminder of the talent that attracted the German giants’ attention last year. It was also not to be.
To add to Chelsea’s misery, the VAR decided Abraham had strayed offside. Fortunately for the Chelsea forward, he made amends shortly before the break — converting from close range after Neuer spilled Emerson’s low cross.
In the closing stages, however, Bayern discovered their ruthless streak. Lewandowski crossed for Tolisso’s goal before heading a second of his own to cement Bayern’s place as one of the favourites heading into the Lisbon mini-tournament.
It’s Barcelona next for Bayern in a blockbuster quarter-final.
The Catalans, inspired by Lionel Messi who scored, beat Napoli 3-1 last night and 4-2 on aggregate.