Drogba Delights in ‘Symmetry’ After Scoring on Chelsea Return
By BBC Sport | Football – UEFA Champions League
Didier Drogba may be known for his powerful presence on the pitch, but the Chelsea striker offered a touch of poetic flair after netting in the club’s 6-0 demolition of Maribor in the Champions League.
The Ivorian striker, who returned to Stamford Bridge this summer, scored his first goal of the season from the penalty spot — a fitting echo of his most iconic moment in a Chelsea shirt: the decisive penalty in the 2012 Champions League final.
Speaking after the match, Drogba couldn’t help but point out the mathematical elegance of the moment.
“Having finished my first spell here with a penalty and starting the second in the same way, it’s a nice symmetry,” he joked. “I wanted to score that goal. I asked Eden [Hazard] to let me have it, and he agreed. That’s our team spirit. We share the goals, and we’re happy when one of us scores. That will give me confidence.”
The goal marked Drogba’s first since rejoining the Blues after a two-year absence, during which he had spells in China and Turkey. Injuries had limited his appearances in the early stages of the season, but with Diego Costa sidelined, the veteran forward seized his chance to make an impact.
Chelsea had already taken the lead through Loïc Rémy, and by the time Drogba stepped up to the spot, the outcome was all but assured. Goals from John Terry and Eden Hazard rounded out a comprehensive win for José Mourinho’s side, who dominated from start to finish.
For Drogba, the night was about more than just statistics — it was a moment of personal resurgence and a reminder of the bond he shares with Chelsea fans.
Now aged 36, Drogba is no longer the club’s focal point in attack, but his influence in the dressing room and on the pitch remains palpable. As Chelsea look to push deep into this year’s Champions League, the Ivorian’s experience and leadership could yet prove invaluable.
