please log in to view this image Good afternoon gentlemen, welcome to our final Match Thread of the season in what is ultimately make or break for us blues! Since we reached our last final in '08 against United, a game in which was lost down to the lottery that is a penalty shoot out, we have been fairly innocuous in the Champions league with the exception of 2009 and obviously this season! We've come a long way since that crucial win over Valencia beating the likes of Napoli, Benfica and the current Champions of Europe, Barcelona. Since Robbie took over we have been a dominant force in Europe scoring 10 goals against some of Europe's best defenders. In contrast, we have had a very poor domestic season which I put down to fixture disadvantage . There are 7 players out for both Bayern and ourselves; Gustavo, Badstuber, Alaba, Ramires, Ivanovic, Terry and Meireles all miss the final due to yellow/cards prior to this fixture. All have been pivotal in this seasons Champions League for their respective clubs. In terms of injuries, Bayern have none I am aware of, I did hear a rumour that Bastian Schweinsteiger would miss due to injury but he then started against Dortmund (a game in which they lost heavily 5-2) so looks like he will start. As I'm sure you're all aware, Luiz and Cahill have started training this week with both stating they are winning their injury battles. Luiz looks almost certain to start and I'm 99% sure Cahill will, even if he has to fight through pain! Malouda looks like he could also miss the final with an injury. Form Chelsea QPR 6-1 - W Newcastle 0-2 - L Liverpool 2-1 - W Liverpool 4-1 - L Blackburn 2-1 - W Bayern Munich Werder Bremen 2-1 - W Real Madrid 2-1 - L Stuttgart 2-0 - W FC Koln 4-1 - W Dortmund 5-2 - L Both go into this game with similar form patterns, but having just lost the German Cup heavily to rivals Dortmund, I would like to hope they are feeling a little shaken! Predicted Line Ups Chelsea please log in to view this image Provided Malouda is out and Luiz/Cahill are fit, I think Robbie will go with this. Kalou can support Bosingwa (who we all know is totally inept) on the right, Bosingwa's pace willl HOPEFULLY help keep Ribery under wraps, Cole will know Robben inside out and is perfectly capable of handling him. I fear Torres will be a passenger if he plays but hopefully I'm wrong. Sturridge's form stinks so I wouldn't put him anywhere near the starting XI. Bayern Munich please log in to view this image As usual, total guess, just replaced the ineligible with players I think will cover them. Amazing attacking side as everyone will have seen against Madrid but defensively I believe they are utter trash and that's with a full strength un-banned defence! Drogba is fully capable of tearing Boateng and Tymo a new one This is it, 3 days to go. Make or break for next season, we win this then we knock Tottenham out of the competition next season and replace them which is the cherry on the icing on the cake provided we win. I think the likes of Drogba, Terry, Lampard, Cech and Cole fully deserve a Champions League winner's medal in their collection for what they've provided football wise over the years, they've been some of the best in Europe consistently for the past 7-8 seasons. KTBFFH! COME ON CHELSEA please log in to view this image please log in to view this image P.S - Fans of other clubs are more than welcome to join in, however all cretinous provocative comments will be deleted, thank you
Need to take out their wide men, Cole needs to be firing on all cylinders to nullify Robben but if there’s one LB who can do it it’s him. I’ll be having kittens if Bosingwa starts because I think Ribery will carve him a new one.
It is great news that Cahill and Luiz have started training with the squad. I had a feeling they would be fit in time. Bayern didn't cope against Dortmund with their first choice central defender Badstuber, first choice left back Alaba and their first choice defensive midfielder Gustavo all playing. So how will they cope without them? There are weaknesses in Bayerns defence. And it will be weaker with those 3 players missing. Think we Chelsea have a good chance. COYB!
I don't see Bayern starting with that midfield, it seems too attacking for a final. I'd have thought Boateng would start at the back and Tymoschuck or Pranjic would play alongside Schweinsteiger with Kroos taking a more advanced role instead of Muller. I'd have thought you guys would go more cautious too, with Mata playing on the left and Essien instead of Torres playing alongside Mikel and Lampard. There might be some nerves and it's easier to make changes in the second half once the defence are hopefully more assured.
Not sure on Bayern, haven't really watched them but I think that is definitely the line up we'll play. I can't see Essien starting, he's been terrible since he returned and I've noticed whenever he and Mikel pair up it ends in disaster! Lamps and Mikel are a perfect balance in the middle imo. Why thank you fellas, I too am ****ting a brick
I saw the thread title and starting shitting it. I am so desperate to win this match as it will be one of our biggest ever achievements with huge bonuses, whilst losing it will be absolutely diabolical on so many levels. So much lies at stake for our club within one match of football. So much pressure on us, we could really do with a German and his nerves of steel. Too bad we don't have one anymore, instead we're playing against a whole bunch of them!
Thanks Drogs for this lead in to the most important game we've ever had to play! For me , I cant lead a normal life again until the ref blows the final whistle on Saturday!
Sometimes you watch something in football and you say there can be no other outcome in the end because it's simply meant to be for one team on that particular year. And that is what I thought about Chelsea and the CL after the Barca game. Good luck.
Cheers SJW It may be me being biased but I had a strong gut feeling before the Benfica game that we would win it!
That's Camptown Races Drogs, I'll bow to your superior Chelsea knowledge on the line up. I still think it'd be unwise
I thought this after you played Benfica. But SJW is right, your name is on the cup this season. Bring it back for English football. 1-0 Drogba.
Not sure we'll go with Torres and Drogba though It would be exciting to see and give Bayern another top class player to worry about which may just stem them going forward a little. Kalou or Malouda simply aren't going to worry them, Nando's pace and directness will. Am bricking it but am going with the assumption that we'll lose and if we don't it'll be even better - much like Barca!! Anyway lads as long as I wear my lucky centenary shirt we may have a chance. Only games it has been worn this year are the C.L semi finals, fa cup semi and final. Just hope there's enought magic left for one more game!!!
