http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Arjen-Robben-c6521 missing his penalty during the UEFA Champions League final.
It seems Mikel’s mind games got to Robben as he fluffed his penalty, denying Bayern Munich to take the lead against Chelsea once again. The game would most likely have ended differently had Robben scored on the penalty that was awarded to the German side
during extra-time.
Since Robben missed the penalty extra-time ended with the side’s drawn at 1-1, giving Chelsea the chance to win on penalties, 4-3. Mikel admitted Robben’s miss had given the Blues new belief that they could go on to win the European trophy.
Mikel said in an interview:
“I told him, 'Petr Cech knows where you are going to kick it'.
I just told Robben that he is going to miss it. You know, we just do that sometimes as players.”
He added:
“I think when the penalty was missed; we kind of believed that this trophy was going to be ours.”
Ever since Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich took over the club in 2003, he has been on a mission to win the UEFA Champions League. He was unable to get his hands on the European Cup for nine years, but now that he finally does Mikel believes he is a
very happy man.
Mikel said:
“The owner has made it clear to us that this trophy is the trophy he wants to win. And now that we have done that, I think that he is a very, very happy man.”
The Blues have previously been to a Champions League final, against Manchester United in Moscow. Unfortunately they lost out on penalties. This time around though they had more on the line, not only were they in to win the Champions League but were also
looking to secure a place in next season’s European competition since they had failed to finish in the top four of the English Premier League.
In doing so though, Chelsea have taken Tottenham Hotspur’s place in the Champions League next season since the Spurs finished at fourth place. Mikel revealed he felt sorry for their London rivals but was extremely pleased for his side.
He continued:
“I am sorry to Spurs - I know they were praying and hoping that we lose.”
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