Lights out for weary Lamps
Bayern crush Chelsea’s hopes
THERE was to be no miracle in Munich this time.
Only another cold, hard dose of reality for Chelsea who, for the second time this season, discovered at the hands of Bayern Munich just how wide t he chasm remains between them and the very best in Europe.
In this first season under Frank Lampard, there has been so much to like, so many signs that better days lie over the horizon. Signings such as Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner should speed up their journey but the road remains long.
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 stretched their aggregate lead inside 25 minutes, before Tammy Abraham reduced t he damage. In the end, after Corentin To l is so volleyed home and Lewandowski found a late fourth, six goals separated the two teams and that felt about right.
There should be no disgrace in this loss, which brings the curtain down on a long, hard season for Chelsea. Their fine Premier League campaign means they will not have to wait long for another crack.
But ultimately Lampard was right. He said there was little his side could take from turnarounds of yesteryear or from their last trip here when they secured a maiden European triumph.
Instead these 90 minutes would tell its own story. Lampard had branded the first leg a ‘ harsh lesson’ and this showed how much they still have to learn.
Five and half months had passed since Bayern’s demolition job at Stamford Bridge in February and the worrying thing for Chelsea? The mountain standing between them and the last-eight had only grown in that time.
Bayern had won every match since that 3-0 win, while Chelsea’s squad had been depleted.
Already without Jorginho and Marcos Alonso through suspension, Lampard’s side had to make history without the injured Cesar Az pi li cue ta, Pedro, Christian Pulisic and Arsenal-bound Willian.
One thing that had not changed between the two legs? Not once in 92 previous European attempts had a team recovered from Chelsea’s plight to qualify.
For the optimists, though, there was perhaps one glint of light. This was Bayern’s first competitive game since July 4. Unfortunately, any hopes the visitors had of catching them cold were soon dashed as Hans iF lick’ s side reassumed control immediately.
Alphonso Davies — whose pace killed Chelsea in the first leg — was again an early threat down the left and, inside 10 minutes, Bayern’s lead was four.
Thiago Alcantara picked up possession inside his own half and within a few seconds the visitors had been carved open. Serge Gnabry slid a pass to Lewandowski, who was brought down by Willy Caballero.
The referee said penalty, his assistant said offside. Before sweat could be wiped from Chelsea brows, VAR had overturned the decision once more. Penalty. Yellow card for Caballero. Lewandowski converted for his 46th of the season.
The goal changed little about Chelsea’s mammoth task. Thomas Muller and Gnabry both had efforts from distance before Bayern’s second came midway through the half. This time, Mateo Kovacic gave the ball away and Lewandowski pounced.
As Chelsea defenders backed off and reinforcements arrived, the No 9 kept his nerve, waiting and waiting before finding Perisic, who rolled the ball home.
It was all so easy and all so ominous for Lampard’s side. But they did at least respond and, three minutes later, thought they were on the board.
From 20 yards, Callum HudsonOdoi curled a beautiful effort beyond Manuel Neuer.
But to add to Chelsea misery, the VAR belatedly decided Abraham had strayed offside in the build-up. Fortunately for the No 9, he made amends shortly before the break — converting from close range after Neuer spilled Emerson’s low cross.
The goal at least buoyed the visitors and they began the second half with more confidence and ambition, rolling the dice once more.
Mason Mount was played through behind the Bayern defence but his effort from a tight angle was fired straight at Neuer. Then the hosts needed a brilliant last-ditch challenge from Thiago to deny Ross Barkley inside the area.
With those near misses, any hopes of an unlikely turnaround faded further into the Bavarian sky and soon it was Flick’s side ruing more spurned chances.
Kurt Zouma’s diving challenge blocked a shot from Davies after Chelsea were cut open once more and then, on the hour, Thomas Muller contrived to volley over from close range.
In the closing stages, however, Bayern discovered their ruthless streak.
Lewandowski crossed for Tolisso’s third before heading a second of his own as time ran out.