LAMPS CAN’T TURN THE TIDE
EIGHT years on from Chelsea’s greatest European night, there was never going to be a repeat in the Allianz Arena.
Instead, it was a painful reminder of the gap between Frank Lampard’s current generation and Europe’s elite as Chelsea crashed out of the Champions League after another thumping defeat to the German champions.
Lampard (below) captained the Chelsea team which beat Bayern Munich in their own backyard to win the Champions League in
2012 after a thrilling penalty shoot-out.
But there were no such heroics this time as Bayern completed the demolition they started at Stamford Bridge six months ago.
Robert Lewandowski was the architect as he scored twice, provided two assists and tormented a defence which has struggled in the Premier League let alone on the European stage.
Lewandowski, 31, has scored 47 goals for
Bayern this season, he must be the best No.9 left in the competition and, in Thiago Alcantara, they also have a world-class midfielder.
It was too much for Chelsea in what became a steep learning curve for Lampard and his players who have defied the odds this season to get back into the top four.
Only four times has a deficit of three or more goals been overturned, but no team has done so after losing the first leg at home.
And it was never likely to happen as the Blues – the first team to field three Englishmen aged 21 or under in a Champions League knockout match – just did not have the experience to match a European superpower.
Chelsea showed heart by refusing to buckle after going 2-0 down after just 24 minutes but ultimately the scoreline became embarrassing – and to concede seven goals over two legs is a brutal and painful reality check. Bayern effectively killed the tie after just nine minutes. Serge Gnabry played in Lewandowski who was upended by Chelsea keeper Willy Caballero. VAR stepped in, the penalty was given and Lewandowski converted it.
Lewandowski was given time and space to turn provider for Ivan Perisic to slot in the second.
Callum Hudson-Odoi saw a goal ruled out for offside by VAR but finally Tammy Abraham pulled one back after Bayern keeper Manuel Neuer spilled Emerson’s cross.
As Chelsea ran out of legs, Bayern took charge. Lewandowski’s cross set up Corentin Tolisso to volley home a third.
Lewandowski had the final say with a header to show that he and this Bayern team will take some stopping in Lisbon.