Ahead of another big home game in the Champions League, you can view highlights of a previous European classic at Stamford Bridge as part of the Champions League Years series, now available to watch on The 5th Stand app.
The season was 2007/08 and twice before in the very recent past we had lost a Champions League semi-final to Liverpool. The prospect of losing a third was unbearable. Crucially though, for the first time we were to play the second leg at Stamford Bridge.Even so we could have been out of the tie before the second game had even started. Liverpool took the lead shortly before half time at Anfield in the first leg, and Petr Cech had to make three great saves during the second period. Then deep into injury time came the defining moment of the tie. Just when it looked as if we would have to come from behind at the Bridge, substitute Salomon Kalou put in a hopeful cross and Liverpool defender John Arne Riise, under no pressure, stooped to head the ball into his own net. From loud, celebratory noise from the Anfield home crowd to silence, in a split second.
The second leg at a rain-soaked Stamford Bridge was a classic and the highlights video is at the top of this page. We dominated the early possession and chances and it was no surprise when Didier Drogba opened the scoring with an angled drive after Kalou’s initial effort had been parried.We paid the price though for not getting a crucial second and Liverpool came back into the match after the break, their first goal at the Bridge for over four years, scored by later to be Chelsea striker Fernando Torres, taking the tie into extra-time.During the additional period we showed great character by reasserting our early dominance. Michael Essien had a goal disallowed, then Frank Lampard gave us the lead from the spot after Michael Ballack was fouled. That only tells half the story. It was one of the most emotional and pressurised spot-kicks our stadium has ever witnessed and not purely due to the state of the contest. Lampard had just returned from time away following the passing of his mother Pat.
Drogba added a third moments later and not even a second goal for Liverpool with three minutes remaining could deny us a place in the Champions League final for the first time in our history.What happened then and all the key moments and inside stories during our colourful history in the competition can be viewed again by watching all The Champions League Years episodes on The 5th Stand app.Each episode of The Champions League Years tells the story of one of the Blues’ Champions League campaign, from our first appearance in 1999/2000 right through until that glorious night in Munich.Watch all the shows by downloading The 5th Stand. Once you have downloaded the app, go to the Watch section and you will be able to find all The Champions League Years shows.