In a long campaign, filled with 4 different competitions, it is easy to look back and see the defining moments in a season. The man who has had more than his fair share of these moments over the last few campaigns is Branislav Ivanovic. He has been the symbol of a Mourinho team all along. Mourinho himself has even explained how Ivanovic is consistently the first name on the team sheet for the Blues. Being a Mourinho type of player, one can easily describe Ivanovic as a strong, resilient defender. But more importantly, he is a leader. Mourinho has referred to Ivanovic as his second captain on the pitch.
However, what you wouldn’t typically expect from a man in his position, is to be a consistent goal scoring threat. However, Ivanovic continues to surprise spectators and more importantly opposing teams in his ability to finish, especially in big moments. Ivanovic has been the man to deliver on the biggest of occasions for the Blues throughout his career.
Looking back at some of his most important goals for the Blues, one can easily call to mind Ivanovic’s goal against Napoli to put the Blues in the semi-finals of the Champions League during the 2011-2012 campaign. Chelsea had just done the unthinkable and evened the aggregate score 3-3 after losing 3-1 in Naples. The game had gone into extra time and Ivanovic was the man to put Chelsea ahead, driving Drogba’s pass into the roof of the netting.
Ivanovic would continue to score goals in the biggest of moments. While scoring eight goals the following season, there was none bigger than in the Europa League Final against Benfica. The game looked to be heading to extra time, when in the final minute of the three allotted stoppage time minutes, Chelsea won a corner. Juan Mata delivered a superb ball into the box, and Ivanovic tracked it the entire way, eventually getting a head on it. It was lofted above the goalkeeper and into the corner of the net. Ivanovic had put all of Chelsea on his back, as Drogba had done the year before in Munich, and made Chelsea, Europa League Champions.
The 2013/2014 season signalled the homecoming of Jose Mourinho. Chelsea were in the title race for the Premier League and the Champions League knockout rounds until the last couple of games. Although, the Blues could not snatch the title from City, Ivanovic’s goal against city at the Etihad Stadium was seen as another clutch performance from the right back. What makes this goal so special is that it’s struck one time with his weaker left foot. For a defender, he uses his opposite foot exceptionally well.
Moving onto this season, Ivanovic has scored a number of big goals for the Blues. Many fans felt that with Azpilicueta’s superb 2013-2014 season, coupled with the purchase of Filipe Luis, that we would see Ivanovic lose his starting spot. Instead, he has defined himself as an integral part of Mourinho’s starting line-up. Ivanovic began the season scoring two goals in the first three games. After that, he would go onto score 3 of the biggest goals that were scored all season for the Blues.
The first goal was against Liverpool during extra time in the semi-final of the Capital One Cup. Playing with a bloody ankle, Ivanovic rose above the Liverpool defense and headed the ball firmly passed Mignolet. Essentially, Ivanovic put us into the finals. Mourinho would later comment that Ivanovic’s bloody boot should be placed in the academy for the younger players to see.
Then, the Blues travelled to Aston Villa, a stadium that typically gives the Blues a hard time. When it looked like the game might end in a draw, Ivanovic used his weaker foot again to volley a loose ball into the upper corner of the Aston Villa net, completely out of the reach of Aston Villa goalkeeper, Brad Guzan. He had rescued Chelsea again, and allowed the Blues to increase their lead over Manchester City to seven points.
Finally, Ivanovic’s most recent moment of brilliance came during the first leg of the Champions League Round of 16 against PSG. Chelsea were controlling possession in times during the first half, but were having trouble getting quality chances. After a fancy flick pass from Gary Cahill, Ivanovic managed to get a head on the ball and redirected it to the opposite corner of the net, away from the Italian goalkeeper Sirigu. This goal was so valuable because it gave Chelsea momentum, but more importantly, it provided Chelsea with that ever-so-important away goal which could prove to be vital in the return leg at Stamford Bridge.
We all know that Chelsea have attacking quality this season. Just ask Swansea City. With so much attacking depth in players like Hazard, Costa, Fabregas, Oscar, Willian, Cuadrado, and Remy, it is hard to see Chelsea struggling in attack. However, from time to time, the opposing team does a good job at neutralizing all of Chelsea’s attacking threat, and we must look somewhere else to find a goal. The man for this job more times than not has been Ivanovic. He has scored the important goals for Chelsea. Goals that were both improbably timed, and expertly taken. He has been one of the most clutch scorers throughout his career. Ivanovic has given everything for his club, and as a club, it’s time we give back and fully appreciate Ivanovic for what he is, a striker wearing the boots of a right back.
You can get more from Tyler on twitter @tyler_strauss_
