PlayBeautiful

Europa League 2012/13 Final Key Points: Benfica vs. Chelsea

For 90 minutes my heart was ready to jump out of my body. Three more minutes wouldn't have made any difference. Or so I told myself. In a span of seconds, a game can change. This is what Chelsea proved when Ivanovic's 93rd minute header sealed the Blues’ victory over a persistent Benfica side. If that wasn't enough drama for you, here are a few key highlights of the whirlwind final in Amsterdam.

Midfield Mayhem
A team’s life is in their midfield. This is where Benfica put forth all their effort, but could not bear the fruits of their labor. Benfica showed fluid movement, intelligent passing ability, and continuous pressure to get the better of Chelsea. The understanding between Rodrigo, Salvio, and Gaitán made Cardozo’s job easier to find the ball. Whenever Cardozo had the ball at his feet, he was the star-player on the pitch. The one who a was a constant threat to Chelsea’s defense. His technique in the box made for some spectacular chances and he could have easily put his team up three goals. Unfortunately, an array of these chances became missed opportunities. One of the most controversial decisions of the night was disallowing Cardozo’s header in the 50th minute. The offside call could be debatable, but replays show it was the correct decision by a margin.

Chelsea’s woes in midfield was partly due to Hazard’s absence. The Belgian was missing from the lineup after suffering a hamstring injury. We were not able to hold the ball up front effectively and central midfield had difficulties coping with Benfica’s pressure. Ramires was deployed as a right winger, but couldn't perform the role to the best of his ability. Four out of eight Chelsea’s offsides were from the Brazilian. Our double pivot lacked communication during crucial moments as well. Frank Lampard and David Luiz were paired alongside each other in defensive midfield, but they weren’t always on the same page. At times, David Luiz would move too back or Lampard moved forward leaving gaps to expose in midfield. Chelsea absorbed Benfica’s pressing game and played deeper than usual most of the first half. The team wasn't looking cohesive between attack and defense either. It was through the continuous efforts of Cech and the back-line we were able to hold ground.

Extravagant Goalkeeping
It was hard to tell who made the better saves, but it was easy to tell who had the most action. For most of the match, Cech kept his cool while Benfica played comfortably in the box. Cardozo fired away shots on goal, but Cech read each situation correctly using his experience. Although Artur had conceded two goals, he has to be given credit for his equally impressive reactions. Oscar, Mata, and Lampard all tested Artur during the deadlock, but he held firm. Goalkeepers from both sides deserve honorable mentions.

The Sting of El Niño
A player who has been heavily criticized by Chelsea and non-Chelsea supporters alike, Fernando Torres proved he is no stranger to European competitions. With six goals in six games, he couldn't score at a better time. Torres net the opening goal in the 60th minute of the final with the style reminiscent of the one he scored against Barcelona in the 2011/12 Champions League semi-final. He rounded Benfica’s goalkeeper in a calm manner and tucked the ball in with composure. He is the first Chelsea player ever to score in seven different competitions in a single season which include the Premier League, Champions League, Europa League, FIFA Club World Cup, FA Community Shield, FA Cup, and the Capital One Cup. Along with Juan Mata, he also currently holds World Cup, European Championship, Champions League, and Europa League titles under his belt. You can only appreciate what he has accomplished despite being labeled as unlucky by the majority. In a previous interview with Sportsmail Torres foreshadowed, “Many teams don’t want to go through in the Europa League, they want to focus on the Premier League but we've shown to everyone we want to win it.” Indeed, Chelsea have done exactly that in a season full of turmoil.

One Last Bow for Rafa Benítez
As Dominic Fifield from The Guardian points out, “He deserved his chance to hoist the trophy in the aftermath, though the look on his face as he did so betrayed a man who felt he was intruding on someone else's party.” A powerful statement that couldn’t be more accurate depicting Rafael Benítez’s tenure at Chelsea Football Club. Just this one sentence put my perspective in a new light. I did not regard Benítez as anything more than an interim manager. As a Chelsea supporter, he frustrated me with his substitutions and I couldn't fathom what competitions he deemed as important. I failed to understand how we missed out on so many chances to win silverware. In all honesty, my attitude was indifferent towards the man. Winning the trophy took the emotions right out me. For the first time I admitted to myself that Rafa deserves the credit where credit is due. He can walk out with his head held high because he pushed to get the team back on the right track. This wasn't Rafa’s team, but he used it to the best of its ability. He rotated a squad that has played the most games in Europe this season. Fatigue was a major concern. Nonetheless, it was a final of a European competition and Benítez fielded the strongest possible lineup. Ninety minutes of normal time had gone by, but Rafa Benítez did not make one substitution while Benfica had used up all of their’s. He had the guts to exercise this decision. Most importantly, the players stood by his side and to achieve a piece of history. There’s nothing more you could ask for.

Champions Of Europe Once Again
Call it a loser’s trophy or an insignificant consolation prize for the second best. It doesn’t change the fact that it’s still a trophy. With this accomplishment, Chelsea become the first team in history to hold both the Champions League and Europa League trophies simultaneously and only the fourth team to lift all three of UEFA’s major club trophies. Success may come at an unexpected price, but the key is to not lose sight of it in the first place. In other words, Chelsea always find a way.