Bayern vs Chelsea: Champions League Final

Posted on May 17, 2012 by Abdul Khaled

The UEFA Champions’ League final will this year be held in the Allianz arena, Munich – the home of German giants and champions league finalists Bayern Munich. Bayern will be up against Roberto Di Matteo’s Chelsea side who many people see as ‘underdogs’ in this final. The very fact that sections of the media have labelled the blues as underdogs shows the measure of success RDM has managed in his interim position as Chelsea boss.

The man who was sacked as West Brom manager is now leading the English charge in Europe’s most prestigious competition, all within the space of a year. A record of only 3 losses in 20 games has seen Di Matteo transform the fortunes of a struggling mid table Chelsea team, to now being on the brink of European supremacy. How must AVB feeling now?

The outcome of this game may well dictate Di Matteo’s managerial future at Chelsea, but luck is not on his side and surely this is the most difficult game he will face. Currently he is without 4 senior players through suspension; The absence of captain John Terry and fellow defender Branislav Ivanovic will be a major blow for Chelsea defensively, especially with David Luiz and Gary Cahill facing a race to be fit for the final.

RDM might be in a situation where he will have to send out a make shift back four, not something you want to do against the likes of Ribery, Robben and Gomez. To add to RDM’s problems he is missing Ramires and Raul Meireles also through suspension, and Florent Maluoda looks unlikely to be fit in time, considerably limiting Chelsea’s midfield options.

The missing of several key players for Chelsea combined with the attacking qualities and home advantage Bayern have may result in another European defensive display from Di Matteo’s side. It worked successfully against Barcelona in the semi-final and RDM might be tempted to carry out a similar counter attacking tactic against a Bayern team who by their standards have had a disappointing season.

Not only did they lose the German title to Borussia Dortmund, they also lost out to Dortmund in the German Cup being humiliated 5-2. The Bayern camp will be hurting and will want to end their season on an ultimate high, making history by being the first team to win the champions league in front of their home fans.

On a side note, Spurs boss Harry Redknapp will eager for a Bayern win as a Chelsea victory will take the 6^th placed Blues into next year’s champions league in place of current 4^th placed team; Tottenham. Not only will this mean Spurs miss out on Europe next season, it may have severe consequences on their playing staff.

Star players such as Modric and Bale might be tempted away from White Hart Lane in search of Champions league football, while rumours suggest the potential transfer of French forward Loic Remy to North London depends solely on Tottenham’s Champions league status next season. A lot is riding on this game.

Key battles

Cole & Boswinga vs Robben & Ribery

Chelsea’s full backs will have to be wary of Bayern’s biggest threat which comes from their wide men. Former Chelsea man Arjen Robben and Frank Ribery are two of the most deadliest wingers in the game, not only creating goals but scoring plenty too. Robben and Ribery have added 32 goals between them season.

Cole and Boswinga will need to produce disciplined performances, but would also hope to use their attacking skills to get forward too, as Bayern’s wide men are less likely to track back thus leaving holes in the Bayern defence.

Gomez vs Drogba

Both forwards are the focal points of their teams, both big men providing a physical presence, aerial threat and they can both score goals. Drogba was the star man against Barca in the semis, but his opposite striker is one of the form players in Europe. Mario Gomez has managed 40 goals this season and with Chelsea without their first choice centre backs, Super Mario could well prove to be a handful.