Date: Saturday 19th May 2012
Time: 18:45GMT / 19.45BST / 20:45CET / 2.45pm EST
Venue: Allianz Arena, München/Munich
Referee: Pedro Proença (Portugal)
Bayern Munich and Chelsea face each other in the Champions League final at the Allianz Arena in Munich on Saturday 19 May 2012. It promises to be a great match you may not miss. Make sure to tune in early so you won't miss anything of this match!
Road to the Final
Bayern Munich topped their group with three wins out of three at home, taking a total of 13 points in the Group Stage, two more then the second-placed Napoli and three more then Manchester City. In the last 16 Bayern suffered a 1-0 loss away at Basel in the first leg, but strolled the second leg at home with a 7-0 win. The quarter final was easy for Bayern as they won both legs with 2-0 against Marseille. In the semi-final, they produced an upset by beating much fancied Real Madrid, but it took extra time and penalties in the second leg to do so after Bayern won the home leg 2-1 and lost the away leg by the same score.
Chelsea topped their group as well, but not that easy as they were only one point clear of Bayer 04 Leverkusen, who were the only team to beat them, 2-1 at Leverkusen. In the last 16 Chelsea suffered their next defeat away at Napoli in the first leg with a 3-1 loss, but they gave their best in the return game at Stamford Bridge with a 4-1 victory. Chelsea won both games against Benfica in the quarter finals after which they produced the upset of the tournament, knocking out holders and favourites Barcelona, thanks to a 1-0 victory at Stamford Bridge and then holding their nerve after being reduced to ten men at the Nou Camp to draw 2-2.
What to expect?
Bayern Munchen has definately some home advantage as they play in their own stadium and city, in front of more then 60.000 spectators and it's to be expected most of those will be rooting for the home team. It's special as it doesn't happen that often that a club plays a CL final in their own stadium. But making it a goal Bayern Munchen managed to do it. Bayern's home form has been a key factor behind their march to Saturday's final, having won all six of their games in the Uefa CL at the Allianz Arena.
Chelsea managed to win just once on the road in the Champions League this season and that is a massive problem. What they have lacked in skill they have made up for in passion this season but their supporters will be drowned out in the Allianz Arena by 60,000 German fans. The players may struggle to rally against that and, like in Valencia, Napoli and Leverkusen, they could well be intimidated and lose the match.
Team Info
While both semi-finals will live long in the memory, they did come at a cost as seven players altogether will be suspended for Saturday's match. Terry is unavailable for Chelsea after being sent off for kicking out at Alexis Sanchez, although he will be allowed to lift the trophy and plans to share that honour with captain for the day Frank Lampard if they get the right outcome. Branislav Ivanovic, Ramires and Raul Meireles will watch on nervously for Chelsea and Di Matteo has had to consider his alternatives. A potential defensive crisis appears to have been averted, though, with Gary Cahill and David Luiz recovering from hamstring problems that have kept them on the sidelines and set to forge a centre-back partnership against Bayern. John Obi Mikel will have an important role to play alongside Lampard in midfield and Juan Mata is also a certain starter, but Di Matteo faces a big decision in attack as he ponders the possibility of playing a rejuvenated Fernando Torres alongside Didier Drogba, who could be playing his final game for the club.
For Bayern, Luiz Gustavo, David Alaba and Holger Badstuber are the players unlucky enough to be suspended for the biggest game of their lives. Rafinha is an option to come in at full-back but Daniel van Buyten may not be fit to slot into defence and Anatoliy Tymoschuk could have to play alongside Jerome Boateng. Toni Kroos and Bastian Schweinsteiger are likely to play in central midfield, with Thomas Muller slightly further forward and Robben, Ribery and Gomez providing the main attacking threat.
Bayern Munich (probable, 4-4-1-1): Neuer; Lahm, Boateng,Tymoshchuk, Contento; Kroos, Schweinsteiger, Muller, Robben; Ribery; Gomez.
Chelsea (probable, 4-3-3): Cech; Bosingwa, Luiz, Cahill, Cole; Mikel, Essien, Lampard; Kalou, Mata, Drogba.
Portuguese referee Pedro Proenca will take charge of the match.
Last but not least
Have fun watching this years Final, and if you want to discuss about this match check out the
Wiziwig Forum - Bayern vs Chelsea [Discussion Thread]
