Uefa Champions League 2012 Final Preview

MAY 19….The day football fans have been waiting for all season.All weekends are fun but this one is a whole lot better.This Saturday Bayern Munich and Chelsea slug it out in the final at the Allianz Arena to be named as the champions of Europe.

Everyone had their bets on an all Spanish final.Bayern had a 50:50 chance against Madrid and Chelsea were to be demolished by Messi and co.But the beautiful game never ceases to amaze,does it?.Chelsea showed that Barcelona could be beaten and Bayern showed their class setting up an interesting final.Two teams and only one winner and who is it gonna be?.Lets look at both their chances.

CHELSEA

Chelsea have had a disastrous season.Yes they’ve won the fa cup but does it really count these days?.When Andre Villas Boas left the club was in shambles.Roberto Di Matteo took over and against the odds did a wonderful job.They have finished 6th in the premier league table which makes this final even more important.Winning the final is their only chance to play in the champions league next season.They really need to acquire champions league football if they want to sign any star players.Last time they made to the final in 2008 and lost on penalties to their arch rivals Manchester united.Can they win it this time??

Chelsea have a very tough task at hand.Beating Bayern in their home is very difficult and missing 4 key players including your captain doesn’t make it easier.Ramirez,Ivanovic,Meireles and Terry are all missing the most important game of their season.Their centre back pairing is a big worry.Gary Cahill and David Luiz are suffering with hamstrings but must be starting the game.RDM has been preparing for the worst-case scenario.Frank Lampard would be the one doing the donkey work along with Mikel and Essien.Drogba will be the key man up front along with Mata.He has other attacking choices in Sturridge and Kalou.Torres coming back to form may be just what they need.He may not be starting the game but could be more than useful as a sub.Malouda is fighting an injury too.Chelsea have never won the champions league.Is this their year???

champions league trophies-none

missing players-Terry,Merieles,Ramirez,Ivanovic

probable lineup-  (4-3-3): Cech, Bosingwa, Cahill, Luiz, Cole,mikel, Lampard, Essien, Mata,Torres/sturridge, Drogba.

BAYERN MUNICH

Bayern haven’t had a great season with no silverware to show for.Bayern have also lost the DFB-Pokal to the Bundesliga champs Borussia Dortmund through a humiliating 5-2 defeat in the final last week.They will have to overcome that humiliation to beat a very determined Chelsea side.

They are the first team to play the champions league final at home.So they do have the home ground advantage.This is their second champions league final in 3 years.Last time they were beaten by Inter Milan in the final.The five time winners have a slight edge over their opposition with their impressive home record and star players like Robben and Ribery who can trouble the make shift Chelsea defence.Bayern have their own share of players missing through suspension.Gustavo,Badstuber and Alaba will be missing leaving their defence in ruins.Manuel Neuer will be tough to beat in goal.Phillip Lahm,the captain will be marshalling their 2nd choice defence.Bayern have a very potent attack force with players like Muller,Kroos,robben ,Ribery and their star striker Mario Gomez who has scored 12 goals in 11 games this season.Bastian Schweinsteiger is a doubtful starter but their manager Jupp Heynckes has a lot of choices in midfield and attack.

champions league trophies-four

missing players-Alaba,Bustavo,Badstuber

probable lineup-  (4-2-3-1): Neuer (Gk), Rafinha, Tymoschuk, Boateng, Lahm, Kroos, Schweinsteiger, Robben, Muller, Ribery, Gomez

MY PREDICTION

Bayern 2-1 Chelsea