UCL FINAL PREVIEW: Bayern Munich vs. Chelsea

Date: 17-05-2012 10:44 pm (11 years ago) | Author: Emmanuel McCarthy
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- at 17-05-2012 10:44 PM (11 years ago)
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Finally, the UEFA Champions League final is almost here.

Bayern Munich and Chelsea will compete for European club football's top prize Saturday evening in Munich. While you count down the hours, minutes and seconds, we've got your comprehensive preview right here.

Inside, you'll find all the information you need for both teams. Anything else? Leave a question in the comments.



First things first: Just the basic facts.

Who: Bayern Munich vs. Chelsea

When: Saturday, May 19, 8:45 p.m. Central European Time (2:45 p.m. Eastern)

Where: Allianz Arena, Munich (dubbed Fußball Arena München for the day by UEFA, for sponsorship reasons)

Road to the Final: Bayern



Bayern Munich, who finished third last season in the Bundesliga, defeated FC Zurich in the Champions League's final qualifying round last August. The 3-0 two-legged victory secured Bayern a spot in the group stage.

There, Bayern won Group A with 13 points, beating out Napoli, Manchester City (who eventually won the English Premier League) and Villarreal (who, incidentally, were relegated from La Liga this season).

In the first knockout round, Bayern overcame Basel, winning the second leg 7-0 after losing the first leg 1-0 in Switzerland.

Bayern then handled Marseille 4-0 on aggregate in the quarterfinals and eliminated Cristiano Ronaldo and Real Madrid on penalties in the semifinals (after a 3-3 aggregate draw following extra time).

Bayern finished second in the Bundesliga this season, eight points behind Borussia Dortmund. The same two teams also met in the German Cup final, with Dortmund winning 5-2.

Road to the Final: Chelsea



Chelsea finished second in the English Premier League last season, earning direct qualification to this season's Champions League group stage.

The Blues won Group E thanks to a dramatic 3-0 victory over Valencia on the final matchday. The drama continued in the first knockout round as Chelsea overturned a 3-1 first-leg deficit against Napoli by winning 4-1 (after extra time) back in London.

Chelsea then beat Benfica 3-1 on aggregate in the quarterfinals and upset defending champions Barcelona in the semifinals.

Chelsea finished sixth in the English Premier League this season and won the FA Cup by beating Liverpool in the final. The Blues must win Saturday's Champions League final to qualify for next season's competition.


History in Final

Bayern Munich's eight previous appearances in the Champions League/European Cup final have resulted in four wins and four losses.

The German giants won Europe's top club competition in 1974, 1975, 1976 and 2001. They lost the final in 1982, 1987, 1999 and 2010.



Chelsea's only previous appearance in the Champions League final came in 2008, when they lost to Manchester United on penalties in Moscow.

Coaches' Corner

Roberto Di Matteo (pictured) took over as Chelsea's interim manager following the sacking of Andre Villas-Boas in March.

Di Matteo, 41, played for Chelsea from 1996-2002, winning two FA Cup medals (1997, 2000). Previously the manager at Milton Keynes Dons (2008-09) and West Bromwich Albion (2009-11), he led the Blues to the FA Cup title this season as caretaker manager.



Jupp Heynckes is currently in his third stint as Bayern Munich's manager, having led the club from 1987-91 and again for less than two months in 2009.

Heynckes, 67, has won two league titles as Bayern's manager.

Key Player: Chelsea



Didier Drogba has cultivated a reputation as a big-game player for Chelsea.

The 34-year-old Ivorian underlined those credentials with yet another goal at Wembley in Chelsea' 2-1 win over Liverpool in this month's FA Cup final. He has now scored in four FA Cup finals, a record.

Transfer rumors surround Drogba these days, and after eight seasons in London, Saturday could be his final match for Chelsea.

Ignoring the speculation for a moment, on Saturday we can expect to see the excellent hold-up play, brute strength and lethal scoring instincts we've come to expect from Drogba.

Key Player: Bayern



When Bastian Schweinsteiger is in form, it's tough for any team to beat Bayern.

Schweinsteiger, 27, is the box-to-box midfield general who makes Bayern tick with tireless running, dedication to both attacking and defending, slick passing and the occasional goal.

The German international (90 caps, 23 goals) has struggled with injuries this season, and his head-to-head matchup with the older Frank Lampard (who turns 34 in June) could decide which team controls the midfield—and thus which team controls the match itself.

Suspensions



Both teams have been hit hard by suspensions.

Six players will miss the game through yellow-card accumulation after receiving bookings in the semifinals. The six are Bayern's Holger Badstuber, David Alaba and Luiz Gustavo, and Chelsea's Ramires, Raul Meireles and Branislav Ivanovic.

Chelsea captain John Terry (pictured, left) is also suspended for the red card he received against Barcelona in the semifinal second leg.

Injury News




Chelsea midfielder Florent Malouda and defenders David Luiz and Gary Cahill (both pictured) are fighting for fitness.

Malouda appears to be losing his fight, but Luiz and Cahill are reportedly making progress.

Defenders Cahill and Luiz have not played since April after picking up hamstring injuries - Cahill in the Champions League semi-final against Barcelona and Luiz in the FA Cup win over Tottenham - but both players are set to return to training on Tuesday.

Luiz claimed on Monday that he was confident of being fit, but Di Matteo admitted Malouda, who was substituted as a precaution in Sunday's win over Blackburn, would be "touch and go."

He said: "Gary and David are going to try and train with us [on Tuesday]. Florent Malouda we still have to assess and it will be touch and go for him to be available for Saturday."

The Man In The Middle



Meet the Champions League final referee. His name is Pedro Proenca, he's 41 and he's Portuguese.


After much said and done, guess we'll just have to wait and watch what happens in that forthcoming 90 minutes.

Have Your Say Pals


Posted: at 17-05-2012 10:44 PM (11 years ago) | Gistmaniac
- lawmanupchelsea at 17-05-2012 11:49 PM (11 years ago)
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That's a good Team Spirit. We shall lift the Champions Cup this season.
Posted: at 17-05-2012 11:49 PM (11 years ago) | Newbie
Reply
- Solidstonez at 18-05-2012 06:12 AM (11 years ago)
(f)
OK

Posted: at 18-05-2012 06:12 AM (11 years ago) | Addicted Hero
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- jumie88 at 18-05-2012 10:50 AM (11 years ago)
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Team chelsea..oya leggooo Smiley Wink Grin Kiss Kiss

Posted: at 18-05-2012 10:50 AM (11 years ago) | Upcoming
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- fredmichael at 18-05-2012 10:58 AM (11 years ago)
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bayern win for sure...

Posted: at 18-05-2012 10:58 AM (11 years ago) | Upcoming
Reply
- goziedona at 18-05-2012 11:16 AM (11 years ago)
(m)
blues all the way
Posted: at 18-05-2012 11:16 AM (11 years ago) | Upcoming
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- FinlandGuy at 18-05-2012 11:35 AM (11 years ago)
(m)
Na Tottenham go win!!!
Posted: at 18-05-2012 11:35 AM (11 years ago) | Gistmaniac
Reply
- emmapunpy at 18-05-2012 11:48 AM (11 years ago)
(m)
lets go boys
Posted: at 18-05-2012 11:48 AM (11 years ago) | Newbie
Reply
- kp45 at 18-05-2012 11:58 AM (11 years ago)
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waiting to laugh. Ccccccccs
Posted: at 18-05-2012 11:58 AM (11 years ago) | Addicted Hero
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- Princestevo at 18-05-2012 12:06 PM (11 years ago)
(m)
England is the best Cool
Posted: at 18-05-2012 12:06 PM (11 years ago) | Upcoming
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- kay-m6 at 18-05-2012 12:07 PM (11 years ago)
(m)
Chelsea wil win by God's grace...shalom!
Posted: at 18-05-2012 12:07 PM (11 years ago) | Newbie
Reply
- Maggiecube at 18-05-2012 01:04 PM (11 years ago)
(f)
NOT MY BURGER
Posted: at 18-05-2012 01:04 PM (11 years ago) | Gistmaniac
Reply
- Stepper92 at 18-05-2012 01:34 PM (11 years ago)
(m)
I Can't Shout oooooooooooooo!!!!
Posted: at 18-05-2012 01:34 PM (11 years ago) | Newbie
Reply
- diana80 at 18-05-2012 01:40 PM (11 years ago)
(f)
chelsea all the way thru
Posted: at 18-05-2012 01:40 PM (11 years ago) | Newbie
Reply
- Idbabe at 18-05-2012 01:59 PM (11 years ago)
(f)
Up Chelsea
Posted: at 18-05-2012 01:59 PM (11 years ago) | Hero
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- Idbabe at 18-05-2012 02:13 PM (11 years ago)
(f)
Here we go Chelsea
Posted: at 18-05-2012 02:13 PM (11 years ago) | Hero
Reply
- proly at 18-05-2012 03:41 PM (11 years ago)
(f)
ok
Posted: at 18-05-2012 03:41 PM (11 years ago) | Hero
Reply
- afunwa23 at 18-05-2012 03:44 PM (11 years ago)
(m)
Chelsea be the first others follows this is our cup oooooooooooooooo
Posted: at 18-05-2012 03:44 PM (11 years ago) | Newbie
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- GreenBee at 18-05-2012 03:56 PM (11 years ago)
(m)
chelsea its ur game
Posted: at 18-05-2012 03:56 PM (11 years ago) | Upcoming
Reply
- degoodman at 18-05-2012 04:10 PM (11 years ago)
(m)
up chelsea
Posted: at 18-05-2012 04:10 PM (11 years ago) | Newbie
Reply
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