UEFA Super Cup 2013: Chelsea Will Be Stronger After Loss to Bayern Munich

Chelsea lost a penalty shootout to Bayern Munich in the Super Cup in Prague on Friday night, following a 2-2 draw in which the Blues played more than 30 minutes with 10 men.

Unsurprisingly, Bayern dominated possession and will have been disappointed that they were unable win the game in normal time having amassed 41 shots on goal.

Chelsea, though, were as defensively stubborn as ever and were always a threat when they did venture forward. Had it not been for a last-minute goal from Javi Martinez, it would have been the Blues who won the Super Cup title.

Recently re-appointed manager Jose Mourinho was clearly disappointed post-match and had a rant about the decision to dismiss Ramires in the final five minutes of normal time–despite admitting it was a yellow card offence. (Daily Telegraph)

While his assertions were questionable, the Portuguese manager will no doubt feel that he got his tactics right and, therefore, was even more disappointed to have emerged empty-handed.

However, with Willian and Samuel Eto'o set to join the first-team following the international break, per BBC, Mourinho will know he has further ammunition on the way.

Against both Manchester United and Bayern—his two big matches so far—Mourinho has been cautious in his tactical setup. With the quality of player at Chelsea, though, he must open up in his approach in the coming months.

If the central midfielders can have more influence on proceedings, his attacking players have shown that they will score goals. Chelsea have a wealth of forward options, all of differing styles.

For all the criticism that Mourinho attracts, it is widely acknowledged that he is an outstanding manager with a great tactical understanding. He rarely makes the same mistake twice and will have learned much from both fixtures this week.

Given time to adapt to his methods and to build a style of their own, Chelsea will improve as the season progresses. A stubborn defence may not thrill fans, but it is the platform from which Mourinho can build a more progressive side at Stamford Bridge.

Bayern will have hurt Chelsea, but the Blues are far from fatally wounded.

Mourinho's side have shown that they come out fighting when they are cornered and the same can only be expected once more. If the Blues needed motivation to succeed, they now have a plentiful supply.

The Mourinho story is never simple and Britain's newspaper editors will already be toasting his return after his post-match rant on Friday. It will be an adventure, but defeat to Bayern may well do Chelsea good in the long run.

The Champions League offers the chance for Mourinho to win a third title, but also to get revenge on Pep Guardiola—with whom the Portuguese has had so many run ins with in recent years.

The stage is set for Chelsea to respond and the character of the current squad will be judged on how they bounce back over the course of the season ahead.