Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterAs Chelsea prepared for their Champions League quarter-final second leg in April 2014, they knew there was work to be done in order to keep their hopes of reclaiming the trophy they had won for the first time two years earlier alive.A 3-1 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain at the Parc des Princes had left Jose Mourinhos tie needing something special, and when Eden Hazard limped off just 18 minutes into the Stamford Bridge second leg, their task was made even harder.But a memorable European night would follow in west London, one capped when Demba Ba netted a vital 87th-minute goal to seal a place in the last-four.Pick the ultimate 4-4-2 line-up from players in FourFourTwo's definitive Top 100 ListDemba Ba on Cheseas PSG victoryI didnt play many Champions League semi-finals throughout my career, and that goal against PSG allowed us to reach one, the former Blues striker recalls to FourFourTwo.We had lost 3-1 in Paris and needed a magical night at Stamford Bridge. You may like Beating Fulham was one of the best nights of my career. I took my shirt off and threw myself onto the turf as if it were a swimming pool Diego Forlan on his 2010 Europa League success I sat down with Frank Lampard and said his philosophy wouldnt work to win anything: the way Id play in your system wont be good for you! David Luiz on his frank discussion at Chelsea How Sergio Aguero celebrates his QPR goal every year The equation was simple that evening, as Chelsea knew only a comfortable victory would ensure progression, at a time when the away goals rule was still played in European competitions.Andre Schrrle scored the opening goal in the first half after coming on for Eden Hazard, who had been injured, Ba continues. It was a setback, but we managed to bounce back.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.Schurrles 32nd-minute strike meant that Chelsea needed just one more goal to seal progression, with the hosts continuing to pile on the pressure after the interval amid a rearguard action from Laurent Blancs side.In the second half, we pushed hard and hit the crossbar twice, Ba recalls as he watched from the sidelines.In the 66th minute, he got the nod and came off the bench to replace Frank Lampard in a substitution that would end up paying off for Jose Mourinho.I wasnt a starter, but I came on in the final stretch and took my chance, he continues. I scored after pouncing on a loose ball in the six-yard box with a lot of instinct and anticipation I was willing to die for that ball.I remember running to celebrate toward a corner; my teammates swarmed me, and even Jose Mourinho jumped on me.It was the most special night I experienced wearing the Chelsea shirt.TOPICSDemba BaChampions LeagueJoe MewisSocial Links NavigationFor more than a decade, Joe Mewis has worked in football journalism as a reporter and editor. Mewis has had stints at Mirror Football and LeedsLive among others and worked at FourFourTwo throughout Euro 2024, reporting on the tournament. In addition to his journalist work, Mewis is also the author of four football history books that include times on Leeds United and the England national team. Now working as a digital marketing coordinator at Harrogate Town, too, Mewis counts some of his best career moments as being in the iconic Spygate press conference under Marcelo Bielsa and seeing his beloved Leeds lift the Championship trophy during lockdown.With contributions fromDani Gil
