German hero Schweinsteiger comes up short at the last

Frank Lampard and Bastian Schweinsteiger swapped shirts at the World Cup two years ago.Lampard has always refused to consider he had "unfinished business" with Schweinsteiger following England's painful defeat to Germany in Bloemfontein but last night (Saturday) it was Schweinsteiger who left the field distraught as his penalty miss cost Bayern dear.

Lampard has always voiced his "loads of respect" for Schweinsteiger, readily admitting "singing his praises for years behind the scenes about what a top player he is". Such high regard rose even higher here, particularly with Schweinsteiger controlling the game for substantial periods.

Lampard's admiration is rooted in qualities so oft associated with the German professional, the organisation and will to win. The respect is also to do with Lampard's appreciation of Schweinsteiger's decorum in victory in South Africa, swapping a few words as well as shirts. All around town could be seen kit-manufacturers' posters of the pair going head to head. Both are the heartbeats of their teams.

Lampard's role was key for Chelsea, attempting to seize the centre ground but Schweinsteiger was so dominant, so influential in snuffing out Chelsea attacks and then breaking forward for so long.

Truly, Schweinsteiger is the box-to-box powerhouse that Manchester United have lacked since Roy Keane departed. United have long coveted him but Schweinsteiger is embedded in FC Hollywood. They would not countenance losing their gem of an all-action midfielder. At times he was playing up alongside Mario Gomez. At others, Schweinsteiger was setting the tempo from the deep like a conductor who had dropped back amid the timpanists.

He made light of an early booking, earning a caution for a silly handball even as Bayern fans were still putting away their cocky mural declaring "Our City. Our Stadium. Our Cup." That act of folly aside, Schweinsteiger enjoyed an otherwise bright first half. Charging towards and beyond Gomez, Schweinsteiger unleashed a shot that Gary Cahill slid across to block. Then Bayern's No 31, whose shirt adorns so many fans, muscled his way into the box and laid the ball off to Thomas Muller, whose strike flew wide.

Chelsea had to respond. Lampard had to challenge Schweinsteiger for the central acres. Amid the storm of red raging in and around Petr Cech's area, Lampard began to emerge, pinging a pass out right to Salomon Kalou. Chelsea fans appreciated the lifting of the siege, the breather for their defenders, the sight of Bayern being tested, of Schweinsteiger being forced to defend. He accepted the challenge willingly, relishing the ball-winning responsibilities. He would often station himself in front of Didier Drogba when Chelsea swept clearances or goalkicks downfield, ensuring he was first to the ball. When Drogba got wise to this, Schweinsteiger dropped behind the Ivorian, and then nipped in front, nicking the ball. He did it time and again, clearly working to a tactical plan from coach Jupp Heynckes.

His distribution was outstanding, the ball delivered instantly first time to a team-mate. With Schweinsteiger and company enjoying so much possession, Lampard was on the back foot, helping out his defence, making some hurried clearances. He closed down Franck Ribery and then hoisted a deliberate pass down the right to Juan Mata. In the eye of the storm, Lampard stayed calm.

The pair had taken a different approach to preparation. Schweinsteiger had been holding court to all and sundry, saying how much he enjoys reading about himself in the paper.

Lampard, barring a short walk, had been holed up in Chelsea's fortress hotel, intensifying the focus which has been there since they overcame Barcelona. Bayern's hotel had been more open, and Schweinsteiger has also been engaged in the German Cup final. Lampard's season had been revitalised by Roberto Di Matteo, who showed all the belief in him that Andre Villas-Boas had failed to. Yet Schweinsteiger's season had been disrupted by injury, and he is apparently still not at his optimum.

Lampard remained in the shadow of Schweinsteiger, who was everywhere, forcing Lampard to track his runs. He still found space. Schweinsteiger always showing, always available, taking a lay-off from Arjen Robben, picking out Muller, a figure of non-stop movement, most of it intelligent. It was bordering on a masterclass, lacking only a goal.

Lampard rallied, picking up the gauntlet thrown down by Schweinsteiger. He became more involved, finding Drogba and then Kalou, whose first-time shot was saved by Manuel Neuer. Lampard, the fulcrum of Chelsea's occasional creativity, then combined with Mata until Anatoly Tymoshchuk dived in to clear.

Schweinsteiger seemed almost affronted at Chelsea's temerity. When the superb Ashley Cole sprinted down the left just after the hour, Schweinsteiger was there, timing his tackle expertly. Cole acknowledged the challenge with a nod. Schweinsteiger gave him an appreciative tap back.

Schweinsteiger then embarked on a dart into the Chelsea box, then dropping back to take the ball off Neuer and launch another attack as the game moved, via goals from Muller and Drogba, towards penalties.