Chelsea vs Bayern 2012 Champions League final: The former Chelsea goalkeeper has opened up on preparations.
Chelsea lifted the Champions League trophy in 2012 for the first time in club’s history, beating Bayern Munich at Allianz Arena.
After Didier Drogba scored a dramatic equalizer in the 88th minute of the game to take the game to extra-time and penalties. Petr Cech put on a goalkeeping masterclass as he dived correctly for all the five penalties in the shootout, saving two of them.
During the first half of extra-time, Cech also saved Arjen Robben’s penalty after Drogba fouled Ribery inside the box.
The Chelsea striker, however, made up for the mistake as he slotted in the final spot-kick with Chelsea winning 4-3 on penalties.
And now, in an interview with COPA90, Petr Cech opened up on his preparations for penalty shootout prior to the game.
Chelsea vs Bayern 2012 Champions League final: How did Petr Cech prepare?
The goalkeeper stated that he was given a video of a penalty-compilation of all the spot-kicks from Bayern Munich’s players, dating back to 2007.
“The video of Bayern penalties lasted two hours and 43 minutes. The game was played in 2012 and we had every penalty of each of the squad since 2007,” he said.
Cech said he spent 2 hours and 43 minutes studying Bayern Munich players penalty from 2007 to 2012. He watched the same 2 hour 43 min video 3 different times.
He went the right way for all 6 penalties in the final. You don’t make your own luck— ! (@GoaIKepa) January 24, 2019
Ex-Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech reveals he spent EIGHT hours studying footage of Bayern Munich penalty takers ahead of dramatic Champions League shootout win in 2012.
The game was played in 2012 & we had every penalty of every player in the squad since 2007. #CFC [COPA90] pic.twitter.com/1IcGPmxvSN
— Maurizio Ⓜ️ (@CFCNewsReport) January 25, 2019
“We did it as a goalkeeper group, it was me, Hilario, Ross Turnbull and even Jamal Blackman. We each had a video, so each went through it on our own and made notes.”
Cech further revealed that the goalkeepers met with their notes, thus further providing insight on the players’ penalty-taking styles.
“And when the game was approaching, we had a meeting together with everybody’s notes and then we watched it again.
“I’ve seen it about three times, so it was probably more like eight hours.
“It might have been a coincidence I don’t know, but after watching all of these videos I don’t think it was a coincidence.”
Ex-Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech reveals he spent EIGHT hours studying footage of Bayern Munich penalty takers ahead of dramatic Champions League shootout win in 2012.
The game was played in 2012 & we had every penalty of every player in the squad since 2007. #CFC [COPA90] pic.twitter.com/1IcGPmxvSN
— Maurizio Ⓜ️ (@CFCNewsReport) January 25, 2019
The goalkeeper left Chelsea three years later, in 2015 to join Arsenal.
He made 494 appearances for the club during his time at the club in all competitions, departing Chelsea as a club legend.
What next?
Petr Cech announced that he would retire at the end of the season. With Arsenal, the goalkeeper has lifted the FA Cup in 2017.
The club reached the round-of-32 of the Europa League last month.
Arsenal will face Manchester United tonight in the fourth round of the FA Cup.
