Top 5 moments of Branislav Ivanovic

It is Branislav Ivanovic‘s birthday and we check out the highest 5 moments of the Serbian in a Chelsea shirt.

Chelsea signed Branislav Ivanovic as a 23-year-old from Lokomotiv in 2008 for €13 million. Regardless of being signed for an quantity that was significantly massive on the time, Ivanovic needed to work onerous to interrupt into the Chelsea facet.

Ivanovic has mentioned that the preliminary six months at Chelsea have been probably the most tough interval in his profession and he even thought of leaving the membership. Nonetheless, as soon as he hit his stride subsequent season, there was no trying again.

Ivanovic went on to win three Premier League titles, one UEFA Champions League title, three FA Cups, three Europa League titles, and one League Cup over the course of his nine-year stint at Stamford Bridge.

On his birthday, we return and try Branislav Ivanovic’s greatest moments in a Chelsea shirt.

#1 Header in opposition to Benfica within the Europa League ultimate

The 2013 Europa League ultimate was heading into extra-time when Ivanovic scored Chelsea’s winner within the dying embers of the sport. Fernando Torres had given the Blues the lead within the 60th minute however Benfica pulled one again by Cardozo eight minutes later.

Ivanovic rose above everybody and despatched a towering header into the objective to win the Europa League for Chelsea. After scoring the profitable objective within the Europa League ultimate, Ivanovic was photographed sitting on high of the goalpost with the Serbian flag tied round his waist in the course of the title celebrations. The pictures have since change into fairly iconic.

#2 The objective in opposition to Napoli within the Champions League

Chelsea pulled off a dramatic comeback victory in opposition to Napoli within the 2012-13 UEFA Champions League Spherical of 16. After dropping the primary leg 3-1 on the Napoli stadium, Chelsea gained 4-1 at house to win 5-Four on mixture.

As soon as once more, it was Branislav Ivanovic who scored the all-important ultimate objective that gained the sport for Chelsea. Ivanovic bought to the tip of a Didier Drogba low-cross and smashed the ball previous the Napoli goalkeeper to win the tie for Chelsea.

#3. Headed objectives in opposition to Liverpool within the 2008-09 Champions League

Within the first leg of the UEFA Champions League quarter-final of the 2008-09 season between Chelsea and Liverpool, the latter went forward by a Fernando Torres objective as early because the sixth minute.

However Branislav Ivanovic scored two thumping headers to offer Chelsea the lead earlier than Lampard added one other one to complete the Merseysiders off. On each events, Liverpool discovered the Chelsea right-back tough to mark because of his motion and he made them pay for it.

#4. The objective in opposition to Manchester Metropolis at Etihad in 2013-14 season

Branislav Ivanovic scored Chelsea’s lone objective of their win in opposition to Manchester Metropolis on the Etihad within the 2013-14 Premier League season. Ivanovic bought on the tip of a blocked shot and drove the ball house from exterior the world together with his left foot to offer Chelsea the benefit.

It was drilled in so quick that the Manchester Metropolis goalkeeper stood no probability of saving.

#5. The objective in opposition to Studying in March 2012

Within the 2011-12 season, Chelsea got here from behind to register a 4-2 win in opposition to Studying. With the rating of 3-2 in Chelsea’s favor, Studying dedicated everybody together with their goalkeeper ahead for a nook kick within the ultimate minute.

Ivanovic headed the ball clear after which Torres shifted the ball out broad to Hazard. With the goalkeeper behind them and scampering to get again, Ivanovic bombed ahead to assist Hazard out and calmly slotted the ball house after being picked out by the Belgian.

Printed 22 Feb 2021, 18:15 IST