UEFA Winners

This is it! Season is over and both Champions League and Europa League have their winners. FC Bayern München had their fifth European Cup victory at their tenth appearance. With these statistics Bayern have become the joint (with Liverpool FC) third most successful club in European Cup history after Real Madrid CF (9) and AC Milan (7).

When it comes to Chelsea FC, this win might stay under the shadow of last year’s Champions League winner title but story has more. With this reward they became entitled to be called as “a member of illustrious band of clubs”. There were only four teams who have lifted each of the European Champion Clubs’ Cup, UEFA Cup/UEFA Europa League and UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup. And those were AFC Ajax, FC Bayern München and Juventus. Now the blues managed to be the fourth.

As a final word, I would like to add some personal comments on finals. First of all, it is striking that both games ended 2-1 and deciding goal was at last minutes. Second, runner-ups’ scored from penalty spot although they had many occasions to score fantastic goals. Last but not least, both of the games resulted in favour of the favourites based on historical data and economic power with no surprise. These observations of mine are not intended to create plot stories. I liked the way Benfica and Dortmund played during the season and at the finals. Their discipline, fortitude and eye-pleasing football is worth to be credited. However, it takes more than it seems. In this regard a special praise must be given to Fernando Torres and Arjen Robben. I recommend you to watch once again how they make room for themselves, control the ball and create a position from out of nothing. And how smooth and calm are their final touches. When you weight all these things small details change the whole outcome.  

From another perspective, I think these finals were a match-up of “Statistics vs Passion“. And out of question, statistics are not compiled with luck or support from outside. Although Dortmund’s passion prevailed against Real Madrid this time it did not work. Bayern showed us that when they lost last year they learnt from their mistakes and improved themselves. This was their third final in four years and it can be concluded that, if you work hard and fix your problems you can make it. Needless to say you can say similar things for Chelsea, too.

Winner takes it all!
Congratulations for them and their supporters.   

Ergun UNUTMAZ, 26/05/2013