Bayern Munich are seeking to join Liverpool on five European Cup wins and become the joint-third most successful club in the competition's history behind Real Madrid and AC Milan, when they kick off at their home ground on Saturday night. The first time a team has played the final in their own stadium since the UEFA Champions League replaced the old European Cup. It was clear in the second leg semi final win over Real Madrid how much that mattered to the Bavarian team. It could prove the vital difference against Chelsea in what is expected to be a good physical challenge between these two finalists.
For Chelsea the motivation to make up for the loss to Manchester United in 2008 could drive the likes of Frank Lampard, Didier Drogba, Ashley Cole and the suspended John Terry. Given their form this season since the arrival of their temporary manager Roberto di Matteo, particularly in overcoming the holders Barcelona, suggest that maybe Chelsea's name is written on the trophy. If it is though, no one better than Munich to change the script, which both teams have already had to countenance - given the multiple suspensions for the final.
The German team will also want top make up for being undone by Inter Milan and Jose Mourinho in 2010 in Madrid. Also amend for the loss perhaps to another English team in 1999 in the Camp Nou – that being Manchester United. Indeed a Bayern victory would make Jupp Heynckes only the fourth to have triumphed with two different clubs after Ernst Happel (Feyenoord 1970, Hamburger SV 1983), Ottmar Hitzfeld (Borussia Dortmund 1997, Bayern 2001) and José Mourinho (FC Porto 2004, FC Internazionale Milano 2010).
How the Bavarian motor machine can win on Saturday night was very clear against Real Madrid over the two legs. The efficient use of possession, strong physical presence and the industrious running from Franc Ribery, Philip Lahm, Arjen Robben and Mario Gomez. Not forgetting the horsepower of Bastian Schweinsteiger, Toni Kroos and Thomas Mueller across the middle. A constant mix of inter passing and deadly precision passes into space for Gomez - well able to strike home from anywhere - will no doubt test the modified Chelsea back four in the absence of Terry. With Luiz likely to make a comeback his shortcomings against Bayern Munich might be enough to make even the most ardent fan nervous.
David Luiz and Gary Cahill have not played since 15 and 24 April respectively due to hamstring injuries and Florent Malouda has a similar problem. The loss for Chelsea of Ramires, Branislav Ivanović, and Raul Meireles will dilute the punch in the middle of park. All three are a constant source of frustration for attackers in a way that Claude Makelele was a speciality for Chelsea and Real Madrid for so many seasons. It could be here that the Chelsea Champions League challenge unwinds.
Munich will be better able to handle the loss of Gustavo, David Alaba and Horst Badstuber.
In the semi final against Barcelona at Stamford Bridge Chelsea exploited the counter attack of a frail Barcelona. Then a fabulous delivery by Frank Lampard released Ramires to give Drogba a fine scoring chance - from which Barca failed to recover. In Barcelona for the return leg the momentum gathered in the blues favour once Ramires slotted passed Victor Valdes in the 44th minute and get Chelsea back into controlling the game. With so much traffic through the middle, even Lionel Messi found it a dead end and by the time Torres scored it was just the icing on the cake for the Londoners. With the departure of Pep Guardiola it is clear that Barcelona were not firing well under the surface and it is something that Bayern wont allow happen in the final. Especially over one match.
If it comes to spots kicks because no one breaks the deadlock in regulation then it will be the Germans. History is testament to that fact.
But for Chelsea it will be about containing Franck Ribery for the ninety minutes as his energy, power and distribution make him hard to mark and how Di Matteo goes about this task will be indicative form the outset of Chelsea’s plan. And to be fair Di Matteo has got the balance right so far. But it might be ninety minutes too much in Munich this time for Chelsea. With a former Chelsea player, Arjen Robben, also motivated to prove a point – and operating from the right side – it may be too much containment for Ashley Cole to handle on his own. Especially given the new formation in the heart of the defense.
The speed and attacking flair that Bayern exhibited against Real Madrid in the last match is to reflective of that power. Also losing the Bundesliga title to Dortmund and the German Cup means the Champions is the last trophy left to win out of what was a possible treble for Heynckes.
Unless Di Matteo truly has the luck sign on his side this has to be a home win. But Di Matte needs to secure a Champions place for next season by winning - and perhaps get the job full time also from Mr Abramovich.
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