MALOUDA: 2012 UCL FINAL IN FOCUS

Retired French international FlorentMaloudabagged six titles during his time at Chelsea including the Champions League in 2012. Apart from the Champions League, he won one Premier League title, the Community Shield and three FA Cups.


FlorentMalouda had earlier been part of the Chelsea squad that lost to Premier League rivals Manchester United on penalties in the 2008 Champions League final in Moscow. Malouda and his teammates were beaten on penalties with Frenchman Nicholas Anelka missing the crucial spot kick for the Blues after the two teams played 1-1 at the end of extra time. FlorentMalouda and his Chelsea teammates finished on the right side of the penalty shootout when they made an appearance in the Champions League final four years on from the heartbreak in Moscow. Just like their 2008 Champions League final clash with Manchester United, Chelsea played 1-1 with German giants Bayern Munich at the end of extra time in the 2012 Champions League final.

The 2012 Champions League final was heading for a goalless situation at the end of regulation time before German international Thomas Mueller gave Bayern the lead via a header with seven minutes left to play. Ivorian football icon Didier Drogba then produced a bullet header five minutes later to take the game into extra time. The most dramatic moment of extra time was when Petr Cech in the Chelsea goal saved a penalty from Dutchman Arjen Robben.Cech also played a big part in the penalty shootout as Chelsea beat Bayern Munich 4-3 to win the Champions League trophy for the first time ever.

FlorentMalouda didn’t start the 2012 Champions League final with manager Roberto Di Matteo opting for a more defensive minded Ryan Bertrand on the left side of midfield. Malouda came on for Bertrand on 73 minutes.