Chelsea win, but also lose
Defending champions Chelsea did their best but were eliminated from the Champions League despite a 6-1 victory over Group E cellar-dwellers Nordsjaelland Thursday morning (Thailand time).
- Published: 6/12/2012 at 04:36 AM
- Newspaper section: breakingnews
Chelsea were not masters of their fate. They needed to beat Nordsjaelland, which they did, but they also needed Group E leaders Shakhtar Donetsk to defeat Juventus.
And that did not happen. After a scoreless first half, Juventus were given a dodgy own goal, and just like that, the Champions League season was over for Chelsea.
Chelsea became the first Champions League winners ever to fail to reach the knockout stage the following season.
At Stamford Bridge, Chelsea dominated the second half of the match, but there was little joy even as the score wound up.
Small solace: It was the first win for Chelsea under new "interim manager" Rafael Benitez
Meanwhile, Group H winners Manchester United ceded a goal by Dos Santos Luis Alberto, and bowed 1-0 to Cluj-Nap'a, which was fighting it out with Galatasaray for second place.
The Turks took the decision on a goal average, after defeating last-page Braga 2-1 in the group's other game.
The last 16 of the Champions League tournament now is set, and knockout matches will begin Feb 12.
About the author
- Writer: BangkokPost.com