Chelsea – The Defending Champions of Europe

The Champions League is always good for a shock to the system, but when Didier Drogba put Chelsea in front at the Bridge in the first semi-final against Barcelona there were many that dared to dream. A goal to nothing in favour of Chelsea was still no real handicap for the Catalans or so everybody thought. There were still short odds on Barcelona winning the final in Munich despite them being a goal down at the semi-final half way stage. Anyone betting on Chelsea at this stage would have still made massive returns when they eventually won. As always, there were some phenomenal odds for the Champions League bet at Bet Victor.

The Battle Commenced

True to form, Barcelona piled on the pressure in front of their home fans and they were 2 goals up, but on step Ramires to steal an away goal in the Nou Camp to bring things level on aggregate after 45 minutes. Chelsea had an away goal and it was in the bag if they could do the impossible and keep Barcelona out for a whole 45 minutes. This is when everyone betting online made the mistake of trying to recover their money by switching to Barcelona. Only die hard Chelsea fans world would have expected their team to keep out the likes of Messi and to hold them back from the Champions League final. Of course it was even a bigger shock when Fernando Torres came on to round Valdes and put the final out of reach of Barcelona.

An Epic Siege

Munich had never been invaded with so many blue shirts as the day Chelsea arrived to play the final. Chelsea could only field a weakened side and this was not the sort of place to play at anything but full strength. The ensuing game was much like many other Champions League finals where both teams are very evenly matched. It was only in the last seven minutes that Bayern broke the deadlock, only for the tenacity of Drogba to shine through with an equalizer and later to secure a win on penalties. One thing is certain, the spending of Roman Abramovich has not slowed and with acquisitions such as Marko Marin and Eden Hazard to help defend the Champions League in 2012/2013.

The smart money is definitely going to be on Chelsea making the final and the best odds on the Champions League bet at Bet Victor .