Bayern Munich 4 Chelsea 1 (Bayern win 7-1 on agg): Deadly Lewandowski leads Blues’ humiliation in Champions League KO
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THEY had been asked to deliver a special performance but instead Chelsea’s players found out for sure they are a side not able to compete at the very highest level.
It was bad enough when they were given a chasing to lose the first leg by three goals at Stamford Bridge back in February – but this was worse.
Had Bayern taken their chances, and not taken their foot off the pedal after the break, the aggregate score could have hit double figures.
If Frank Lampard needed any convincing some of his players are not good enough for where he wants to take the club, he doesn’t now.
There was a gulf in class between those in red and those in blue. Chelsea frantic and untidy, Bayern in complete control and in sync throughout the side.
This was a side who had not played in over a month since their season ended, supposedly lacking the match sharpness the Londoners have from playing right up until the Cup Final last week.
Chelsea should have been racing out of the traps, snapping into tackles, exposing the ring rustiness of the Bundesliga champions and sewing some seeds of doubt into their hosts.
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Instead they were timid, nervy and inferior right from the start.
Bayern had already twice threatened to expose Chelsea’s weak centre in defence with runs behind before Robert Lewandowski sprung the line after seven minutes to be sent tumbling by keeper Willy Caballero.
Initially referee Ovidiu Hategan spared the Blues from conceding a penalty thanks to an offside flag – but VAR showed Lewandowski was just onside and the spot-kick was given.
Caballero might have a reputation for stopping penalties, but the Argentine was helpless to prevent the brilliant Bayern striker finding the corner for his 46th goal of an amazing season.
It got worse for Chelsea on 24 minutes when they gifted Bayern a second.
Lampard’s side contrived to concede a goal direct from their own throw-in near half-way as Mateo Kovacic was robbed of possession by Thomas Muller, allowing Lewandowski to feed Ivan Perisic to slot home.
The tie was gone, and the goal summed Chelsea up, with not one teammate shouting to warn Kovacic he had a man on.
Thanks to the lack of fans you could hear first hand the difference between the two sides.
Bayern’s voices echoed round the ground, driving each other to be first to the ball, hurry Chelsea at every opportunity and direct the pattern of player.
In comparison the Blues played in virtual silence, timid and out of their league.
Robbed of players like Christian Pulisic and Cesar Azpilicueta through injury, of course this was far from a full strength Chelsea, but Lampard will have learned a lot.
He will have seen how Reece James showed he belongs at this level, engaging in an absorbing tussle at times against the blistering threat of Alphonso Davies, and how Mason Mount again refused to hide and tried to bring composure to some play.
Callum Hudson-Odoi also showed buts in flashes, not least with an excellent 25-yard effort curled into the far corner which looked to have pulled a goal back, only to be denied by a tight offside call against Tammy Abraham.
That goal did come just before the break when Abraham touched into an empty net, but the England striker looked out of his depth for most of the game, his poor touch and lack of composure on the ball exposed.
The signing of Timo Werner, and Olivier Giroud finishing the season as first choice, is surely a sign Lampard is losing trust in one of the bright academy products going forward.
He is not alone, as Andreas Christensen, Kurt Zouma and Ross Barkley were once again all found wanting. Good players, all.
But not if you want to be challenging for domestic and European titles.
Bayern eased off in the second half, passage through to the finals tournament in Lisbon next week assured – but even so they should still have extended their lead.
Muller and Gnabry missed the target when well placeD as again Chelsea’s defence was opened up with ease, and sub Philippe Coutinho curled a dipping effort just over the bar.
Their third of the night finally came on 75 minutes when Corentin Tolisso was left free in the area to turn past Cabellero. It was all too easy.
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Lewandowski jumping unchallenged to head home the fourth six minutes from time just rubbed salt into the wounds.
It’s not for want of trying – more for want of talent among some in the blue shirts.
Chelsea will be back in the Champions League next season, but whether a number of those on show here will be is very much in doubt.