Century for Petr Cech in Champions League

Zee Media Bureau/Jayanta Oinam

New Delhi: Petr Cech became the 19th player to make 100 UEFA Champions League appearances in Chelsea`s Round of 16 second leg match against the visiting Galatasaray at Stamford Brigde. He is the fourth goal-keeper to have achieved this feat, after Oliver Kahn, Iker Casillas and Víctor Valdes. The Chelsea goalie has previously played in the tournament representing the Prague-based club Sparta Prague. Since his arrival in London in 2004, the 31-year-old has made 88 appearances for the Blues in Europe`s premier club competition. Real Madrid legend, Raul Gonzalez – who later played for Schalke 04, had played a record 142 Champions League games. Behind the Spaniard are two one-club legends – Ryan Giggs of Manchester United and Xavi Hernandez of Barcelona, both on 139. In the third place, is Real Madrid`s super-stopper, Iker Casillas on 134. In an illustrious career, Cech has lifted Champions League trophy with Chelsea in 2012 in Munich, after failing to win the tournament four years earlier. In the 2008 final, at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, Manchester United defeated Jose Mourinho`s side on penalties. Besides the continental crown, the Czech also won three English Premier League titles with Chelsea. He has played an important role in helping Chelsea become a force to reckon in the European football. Considered one of the best gloves-men around, he won the UEFA Champions League`s Best Goalkeeper award three times in 2004-05, 2006-07 and 2007-08 seasons as he continued to guard the Chelsea goal. With the London club, he also won the Premier League Golden Glove award twice, in 2005 and 2010. Playing with a distinctive headgear, Cech is one of the most recognisable players in the world. He sustained a head injury during Chelsea`s Premier League match against Reading at Madejski Stadium in 2006, after colliding with Stephen Hunt. Already a club legend, Cech made his comeback a year later. After making his national senior debut during the 2004 UEFA Euro, he represented Czech more than 100 times. Honoured with the Footballer of the Year award in his country for seven times, he has been the mainstay of Czech football team for the last decade.