https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/2022/02/13/
azpi-reveals-how-he-helped-havertz-and-expresses-pride-at-comple
Azpilicueta reveals how he helped Havertz and expresses pride at
completing the set
13 Feb 2022
Cesar Azpilicueta became the first Chelsea player in our history to win
every major trophy as we edged past Palmeiras in the Club World Cup final
yesterday, and our skipper spoke afterwards about the role he played in
the decisive penalty that ensured we left Abu Dhabi with a new piece of
silverware in tow.
https://i.imgur.com/EzzAwuQ.jpg
Since joining the Blues from Marseille in the summer of 2012, Azpi has won
the Premier League twice, the Champions League, the Europa League twice,
the FA Cup, the League Cup, the Super Cup, and now, after two hours of
tense football in the UAE, the Club World Cup. No Chelsea player can lay
claim to such a varied honours' board.
https://i.imgur.com/LGLsDkp.jpg
Ecstasy at full-time
It looked like the final was heading to penalties but a shot from the
Spaniard was blocked by a hand. VAR came into play, not for the first time
at the Mohammed Zayed Stadium last night, and a spot-kick was given to us.
Azpilicueta immediately gathered the ball and it very much looked like he
was going to take the penalty in Jorginho's absence.
'It was a tactic because I knew how they are, I knew they were coming for
the penalty taker, so I took the ball,' said Azpilicueta, clearly a step
ahead of everyone else in the stadium.
https://i.imgur.com/Qu38YGU.jpg
'Kai knew that he was going to shoot so it was to release the pressure
from him. It was a decisive moment and Kai is one of the best penalty
takers. I waited and listened to everything their players told me, and I
think it worked which is the most important thing.'
How it worked! Havertz coolly converted from 12 yards, and we saw out the
closing stages with the minimum of fuss to secure our second trophy of the
campaign.
For Azpilicueta, it marked a completion of the set, and redemption for
defeat to Corinthians nearly a decade ago.
'I'm really proud of it,' the skipper beamed. 'We have a come long way to
be here. It's a moment to be proud and enjoy it because we know how
difficult it is to win this trophy. 2012 hurt a lot and we took more than
nine years to be back. We missed out in 2012 and we didn't want to miss
the cup again.
'This time the medal is gold, and the other one is silver. I made sure I
wasn't coming back with the same colour of medal. It was a difficult game.
World champions, it's not easy. We showed the team we are.
https://i.imgur.com/M1nGK35.jpg
Owner and captain with a new trophy for our cabinet
'When I arrived in 2012 I couldn't imagine the journey I would go on,'
added Azpi. 'I'm really proud to be the Chelsea captain leading the club
on and off the pitch. This title feels very good because it's the first
time in our history. The club deserves it, the owner deserves it, and I'm
proud we achieved it.'