Former Chelsea player Juan Mata has opened up on Chelsea’s Champions League triumph in 2012, and why he missed in the penalty shootout.
Chelsea secured their first Champions League title on a memorable night against Bayern Munich in Munich where they defied the odds to prevail on penalties.
It’s a moment that will live forever in the memories of Chelsea fans, and the Blues had to wait nine years to get their hands on the trophy a second time in Porto in 2021.
Mata reveals why he missed his penalty against Bayern in 2012
Chelsea were staring down the barrel of a heartbreaking defeat until Didier Drogba headed home Mata’s corner in the 88th minute to force extra time.
Drogba then gave away a penalty in extra time, with Petr Cech denying former Blue Arjen Robben to send the final to penalties.
The Blues would go on to win the shoot-out with Drogba scoring the winning penalty, but despite playing a pivotal role in the run to the final and the final itself Mata was the only Blue to miss in the shootout.
The Spaniard was first up and saw his penalty saved by Manuel Neuer, and revealed he was desperate for Bayern to miss after that, and why he missed his spot kick.
“I just wanted Bayern people to miss after that”, Mata told Four Four Two.
“For three penalties, they didn’t, I didn’t want to lose because of that penalty.
“It’s funny, because our goalkeeping coach told me that Manuel Neuer would go to the left when a left footed player took a penalty and I was planning to listen to him and put it to his right, but at the last minute I had the feeling Neuer would go to that side and I changed my mind. That’s why I missed.”
Mata made 135 appearances for Chelsea, scoring 33 goals and providing 57 assists, and it’s a real shame he didn’t stay at Stamford Bridge longer.
