Champions League Final Fallout: What Was Said After Chelsea Beat Bayern

Chelsea won the 2012 Champions League final in the Allianz Arena stadium after a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Bayern Munich.

The two managers, Juup Heynckes of Bayern and Roberto Di Matteo of Chelsea, were involved in their own tactical battles before the match as they battled to overcome seven suspensions between the two sides.

Both would have been confident of victory after their teams had overcame hugely difficult opposition in Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona.

Roberto Di Matteo sprung a surprise by handing Ryan Bertrand his Champions League debut, starting the full-back on the left of midfield in the final, while Heynckes went with the attacking Thomas Muller in place of suspended holding midfielder Luiz Gustavo, with Toni Kroos taking up a deeper role.

It seemed like Bayern were well in control of the game, but it took until the last 10 minutes for either back-line to be broken down when Thomas Muller headed in, but Chelsea replied almost immediately as Didier Drogba headed a late equaliser.

In extra time Bayern passed up a golden opportunity to retake the lead when Petr Cech saved Arjen Robben's penalty.

There were no further goals in the game, and Bayern paid the ultimate price for their profligacy in front of goal as they went from leading 3-1 in the shootout to losing 4-3.

Penalties: Lahm scored (1-0), Mata saved (1-0), Gomez scored (2-0), Luiz scored (2-1), Neuer scored (3-1), Lampard scored (3-2), Olic saved (3-2), Cole scored (3-3), Schweinsteiger hit post (3-3), Drogba (3-4).

For Chelsea boss Di Matteo, it was the ultimate vindication of his tactics and team selections during his stint as caretaker boss, and he could have made no better case for being given the job on a full- time basis this summer.

Here is all the reaction from the victorious players and, maybe more pertinently, what the victorious manager had to say after the game.

Chelsea boss Roberto di Matteo, walking up the steps to collect the trophy and as he passed Chairman and club owner Roman Abramovich:

"

I WON IT! (or perhaps it was I WANT IT [the job!]!)

"

Di Matteo on his team, on Didier Drogba and on his future:

"

We have a group of players that have a big heart, passion, motivation and desire. That was the only way to be able to achieve this trophy and it's been an immense effort by the whole group. We are very happy tonight. Bayern are a good team and when they scored there wasn't much time left. In games like this you need players that rise to the occasion and we've got a lot of players like that.

He's [Drogba] been incredible for this club. He scored a fantastic goal tonight to keep us in the game and then the winning penalty. It's been an incredible, demanding three months to finish this season with this trophy and Champions League qualification for next year.

I am enjoying this moment and I'd like to go out now and celebrate with the players! I won't talk about it now [the job] I just want to enjoy the moment!

"

Chelsea defender Gary Cahill, who played late on while struggling with cramp:

"

I think it was [meant to be]. We keep bouncing back, it's a matter of keep believing.

"

Captain for the night Frank Lampard had plenty to say about his teammates, especially Didier Drogba:

"

I can't believe it. After the season we've had, our spirit showed. We didn't play our best. The main man Didier has done it again, he's a hero, without him we're not here. He scores the goals in the big games, what he did tonight he's been doing all his career.

This has been the one we really wanted and now we've got it.

"

Ashley Cole thinks it was written in the stars:

"

Definitely [it was] meant to be. [With] the chances they had, they had the penalty, you think your name is not on the cup. Petr [Cech] stepped up with a great save; we haven't won on penalties since I've been here. [When told Germans don't lose on penalties?] They do now!

"

And finally the Man of the Match, Didier Drogba, who scored the equaliser late on and then the winning penalty in the shootout, with what may turn out to be his last touch for Chelsea:

"

It was fate. I believe a lot in destiny. It was written a long time ago but we did not know. This team is amazing and I want to dedicate this cup to all the managers we've had before, the players I've played with before. It's fantastic.

"

Karl Matchett is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all quotes were obtained first-hand.