Famous save still a mystery to Cech

PETR CECH has revealed his mind is a blank over the moment he saved the crucial penalty that helped Chelsea win the Champions League.

The Blues’ former keeper had an amazing night in Munich in 2012, as current boss Frank Lampard lifted the trophy in front of

Bayern’s home fans.

Cech pulled off a string of great saves, stopped Arjen Robben’s penalty in extra time (right) – and then two more in the knife-edge shootout – before Didier

Drogba struck the crucial spot-kick to win the trophy.

But Cech has little memory of the vital save from Robben and said: “Sometimes, when you watch movies, and they slow down and freeze – that happened the same way.

“The ball became really big. I was concentrating on what he was going to do – and the rest stayed a complete blank, my focus was only on that. The moment froze, the ball disappeared.”

What’s more, Chelsea’s players were so delirious at their unexpected triumph, Cech revealed, they did not know what to do when the final whistle went.

The one-time Czech Republic international said: “The keeper stands on the side of the pitch for the shootouts.

“So, for the winning penalty, I saw the ball, and Manuel Neuer diving to this side. I saw his head coming this way and then, at the back, I saw the ball going in the far corner. That was the moment I realised that the Champions League was won.

“I saw Didier running towards me and I went directly to meet him.

“For 20 seconds we didn’t know what to do – because of the accomplishment, because we had been chasing the trophy for so long. It was a unique moment.”

Cech, now technical and performance advisor at Chelsea, will be watching from the stands tonight as Lampard’s team take on Bayern in the first leg of their last-16 tie.

The Germans took the lead in the final in the Allianz Arena that night in 2012, when Thomas Muller scored with eight minutes left – but Drogba spectacularly headed Chelsea level in the 88th minute. Cech saved Robben’s penalty in extra time, sending the final to a shootout.

He then saved Bayern’s final two spot-kicks, from Ivica Olic and Bastian Schweinsteiger (top) – to set up Drogba for the historic winning kick.

Drogba’s equaliser is etched on Cech’s mind, as he watched from the other end of the pitch.

“I remember seeing Neuer going very close to the ball – I thought he might get there for a second, and I thought the chance was gone. He got a touch to it but not enough to keep it out.”