Chelsea hit the milestone of a century of home games in the Champions League last week, when we got our 2025/26 campaign up and running by picking up our first points of this season’s league phase by beating Benfica 1-0.

We have already looked back at Chelsea's Champions League debut against Skonto Riga in 1999, and by 2008 the Blues had become an established fixture in Europe’s top tier. However, our pursuit of arguably football’s most famous club trophy was beginning to feel cursed.

On three separate occasions we had made it to the last four in the competition, but each time we had fallen short in the semis. Defeats to Monaco and Liverpool (twice) had left mental scars to overcome, especially given the Reds were our opponents at that stage once again in 2008.

However, unlike those previous two semi-final meetings with Liverpool, this time we would have the home advantage in the second leg, and there was a feeling of unfulfilled destiny to be corrected.

‘We have done so well in the last five years, winning every domestic competition, winning the Premier League with a record number of points and with the fewest goals ever conceded, getting to four Champions League semi-finals,’ explained captain John Terry.

‘Now we owe it to ourselves to make the next step in the Champions League and reach the final, and go on and win it. It's the big hole we need to close in the ambitions we're achieving, and this is our best opportunity so far. Together, fans and team, we must achieve the right result.’

A late own goal by John Arne Riise at Anfield had left things finely balanced at 1-1 going into the decisive match at the Bridge, although we held a slight advantage due to the away goals rule.

There was also a timely confidence boost, as a pair Michael Ballack goals gave us victory over our main title rivals Manchester United between the two legs, taking us joint on points with the Premier League leaders.

'We had a massive game and we won and that was a big boost for us,’ said goalkeeper Petr Cech. ‘Now we have another big game but we are positive because we did it against Man United when we needed to win. This time the draw could be enough so that could be another advantage.

'It is always difficult to start a game playing for 0-0. We will play in a positive mood and we want to make sure we will score a goal that will make it even more difficult for Liverpool.’

The team stood by those words, as Didier Drogba’s opening goal meant we led 1-0 on the night and 2-1 on aggregate going into half-time. It also made him Chelsea’s all-time leading scorer in Europe. However, that was just the start of a rollercoaster evening in west London.

Future Blue Fernando Torres equalised for Liverpool in the second half, levelling the scores and erasing our away goals advantage in one strike. That meant the drama would continue late into the evening, with 30 minutes of extra time.

That was when we pulled away, though, in what was one of the most emotional moments Stamford Bridge has ever witnessed. Eight minutes into the additional period, Ballack was brought down in the box, and Frank Lampard stepped up to take the penalty.

'I thought it was a foul, and hoped the referee would give a penalty. It happened very quickly, but he kicked my left foot, and it was the right decision,' insisted Ballack.

'It was a high pressure kick, but you know, Frank is a big man and can score penalties.’

Blues legend Lampard was making his first appearance since returning from compassionate leave following the death of his mother six days earlier, with head coach Avram Grant confirming the decision for Lampard to play was only taken the previous evening.

There were nerves all around the stadium, but as always, our No.8 didn’t show them. Moments later Lampard was running towards the corner flag, kissing his black armband and falling to his knees, tears streaming down his face as he pointed skywards. Chelsea were ahead in extra time and the emotions were overflowing.

Another of the players who so often popped up for Chelsea in our biggest moments, especially in the Champions League, gave us breathing room, as Drogba struck again. It was just as well, as that ensured Ryan Babel’s goal with three minutes remaining was merely a consolation, rather than swinging the lead to Liverpool on the same away goals rule we had been able to fall back on at the start of the night.

We held on through the closing stages, seeing out a memorable win at the Bridge and prompting wild celebrations at the final whistle. Every member of the squad and staff rushed off the bench to celebrate in front of the supporters inside the Bridge.

The sight of Drogba and assistant coach Steve Clarke dancing across the pitch to Madness’ One Step Beyond will not soon be forgotten by anyone who witnessed it. At last the demons of those previous semi-final defeats had been exorcised. Chelsea were Champions League finalists.

But above all, it was a night of huge emotion at Stamford Bridge, both for Lampard and others, as our Israeli head coach explained at the end of the game.

Grant reflected: 'Frank is a brave man because he was very close to his mother and what happened with him in the last days, it was not easy to take this decision, but he played well and is a little bit happy now.

'It was not an easy day for me because it is Holocaust Day in my country. My father is a survivor of the holocaust and he is the most optimistic and strong man I have ever seen. He buried his father, mother and sisters but he never looks at the past, only the future.

'It is not an easy day for me, but now it is a happy day.'

Unfortunately, for all our semi-final joy, we would suffer more Champions League heartbreak in the final itself, at the hands of Manchester United in a penalty shootout. That began another quest to conquer a European curse, this time by going all the way and lifting the trophy four years later. But that is a story for another day...

A number of the Blues players from that memorable night will be back at Stamford Bridge on Saturday playing for Chelsea Legends against Liverpool Legends. And you can still book your place by clicking on the image below!