This makes it all better: Torres puts disappointment of not starting behind him to lift the big prize

Fernando Torres put his 'big disappointment' at not starting Chelsea's Champions League triumph to one side after helping them become kings of Europe.

Torres admitted he had expected to be in the line-up in Saturday night's epic 4-3 penalty shootout win over Bayern Munich, with rookie Ryan Bertrand instead getting the nod.

'I was expecting to start,' said Torres, who came off the bench to win the corner that saw Didier Drogba snatch a 1-1 draw in normal time.

'It was a big surprise for me, a big disappointment.

'But, in the final, the main thing is to win - it doesn't matter who plays.'

Torres only had one thing on his mind after being thrown on to help rescue Chelsea's Champions League dream.

Another trophy to add to the collection: Torres adds the Champions League to the World Cup and European Championship medals

We needed to attack,' the £50million man said, having added the biggest prize in club football to his European Championship and World Cup winners' medals with Spain.

'We were playing like we had the handbrake on, looking like we couldn't attack, but I think we could, and in extra time we showed we could play counter-attack as well.'

On top of the world: Torres and David Luiz celebrate on top of the goal after the game

Having dominated Saturday night's game, Bayern were two minutes from victory, missed a penalty in extra time and also led in the shootout, each time letting Chelsea off the hook.

'We had good luck at the right time but I think we're the right team to win this Champions League,' Torres said, dedicating the win to the Blues' fans.

Pure joy: Juan Mata caps off a dream debut season at Chelsea by winning the Champions League

'It's for these guys. They have been supporting us all season, a very difficult season when no-one believed in us, a lot of ups and downs.

'At the end, they are the ones who deserve it.'

Chelsea and Spain team-mate Juan Mata, who moved to Stamford Bridge last summer, told Sky Sports: 'It's a dream come true.

This makes up for it: Torres was surprised and disappointed not to start

'It's my first year here at Chelsea and we have won the most important trophy in the final of the Champions League so we are very, very happy.'