Published: Today at 11:21
CHELSEA face Bayern Munich in the Champions League final on Saturday in what many fans would consider the Blues' biggest match EVER.
The clash at Bayern's Allianz Arena throws up many difficult questions for boss Roberto Di Matteo.
What formation will he pick? How will he cope without his suspended stars? What threat will Bayern's goal-crazy attacked pose?
To get to the bottom of the big talking points ahead of the Champions League final, SunSport asked some of Chelsea's top bloggers some key questions.
Here is what they had to say...
Bharath from chelseatrueblue.com
Score prediction? I am predicting a narrow 2-1 win for Chelsea. Torres will score twice on either side of the half, but Bayern give themselves a lifeline with a late goal. However, Chelsea will end up with our first Champions League trophy.
Chelsea's starting line-up? (4-2-3-1) Cech; Bosingwa, Cahill, Luiz, Ashley Cole; Mikel, Lampard; Kalou, Mata, Malouda; Torres. The selection is based on the probability that David Luiz, Florent Malouda, and Gary Cahill will all be fit. I would choose Malouda over Sturridge due to the defensive stability he might provide especially considering the lack of Ramires. Finally, it would be the pace of Torres over the power of Drogba.
Bayern's biggest threat? Franck Ribery. He is a player who doesn't allow his head to drop as seen in the last week's DFB Cup final loss to Borussia Dortmund. Even with a remote chance of a comeback, he was giving his all. He has the ability to grab the game by the scruff of the neck, as he showed in the first leg semi-final against Real Madrid. And he also dives a lot to get the opposition booked!
Di Matteo's main selection dilemma? Of course, it has to be Torres or Drogba. Does he go with the pace and skills of Torres, or does he look for a big target man in the form of Drogba to lump up the ball? After seeing Bayern Munich defenders struggle against the pace of Lewandowski, Torres seems to be the guy for the final. Drogba can be the player who can come off the bench and help the team hold the ball when Chelsea are struggling in the latter stages of the match.
Which player will be missed the most? Even though most would say that captain John Terry is the biggest miss, I think that Ramires is the biggest miss. He may not be the best to unlock tight defences, but he is extremely crucial to the counter-attacking style that we are likely to adopt in the final. It was a silly booking as well, which makes it more painful.
Stick with Di Matteo next season regardless of the result? We all know that Roman Abramovich demands attacking football. Even though Roberto Di Matteo has played an attacking style of football at West Brom and MK Dons, he has largely employed a counter-attacking style of football at Chelsea that is very defensive. It is unlikely to appeal to Roman Abramovich, but if he wins the Champions League then surely you have to give the guy a chance.
Martyn from cfcnet.co.uk
Score prediction? Tension, and given the way our Champions League campaign has gone, a far amount of drama. It’s going to be excruciating to watch. Bayern may have home advantage but there’s been a funny whiff of destiny about this season ever since we turned it around against Napoli - Chelsea to win it 2-1.
Chelsea's starting line-up? I have everything crossed that Cahill is fit to partner David Luiz at centre-half, with Bosingwa then at right back. Midfield is tricky because of the suspensions. I expect Lampard and Mikel to be in there, but Essien may also start although he’s been no where near his best recently. The second knee injury has definitely affected him. Di Matteo is clearly fond of Kalou so I wouldn’t be surprised to see him on the right, with Mata playing in behind Drogba, who will hopefully bully the make shift Bayern back line. The feeling on our site, CFCnet.co.uk, is that their defence might not be able to live with the big man.
Bayern's biggest threat? Considering how much we know about Arjen Robben, it’s difficult not to mention him here. In fact, that entire forward line is formidable, with Ribery flying down the other flank, and Mario Gomez through the middle. But if we can restrict the supply to Gomez I think we can really disrupt Bayern’s way of playing, as both Ribery and Robben are prone to a hissy fit or two if the service dries up. Stopping Schweinsteiger pulling the strings might just be where it’s won and lost.
Di Matteo's main selection dilemma? Going on the assumption that we will have two fit centre-halves then midfield is the biggest dilemma. The 4-2-3-1 system is how we’ve set up predominatly under Di Matteo, but without Ramires on the right there’s a gaping hole to be filled. Lampard could play there, with Mikel and Essien as the holding players, and Malouda could well start if he’s fit. I wouldn’t play Sturridge from the start. His final ball is still lacking and at times he is far too greedy. On Saturday possession will be key. Bayern put a lot of emphasis of flooding forward, so Chelsea could end up controlling midfield, and this is where the likes of Mata and Lampard will be vital.
Which player will be missed the most? Without doubt Ramires will be missed. He’s come on leaps and bounds this season after showing glimmers last year. His performance in the Nou Camp was nothing short of heroic - he did not stop running. Then again he never does! Having said that, every Chelsea fan will tell you that seeing a defence without John Terry in it is a very uncomfortable prospect. He might not be popular outside our club, but within it he is our leader. No one organises and focuses the team like Terry and on the biggest night in our history that will be missed.
Stick with Di Matteo next season regardless of the result? I think if you look at where this team was when Di Matteo took over to where it is now you would find it hard to argue against the case for Robbie getting the job. Saturday shouldn’t come into it. We would have been no where near Munich if it wasn’t for him and Eddie Newton galvinisaing a very flat dressing room. As was pointed out after the FA Cup final, Di Matteo was only supposed to see us through to the end of the season, now he’s starting winning trophies. I think he should be given a chance, bring in Zola to join the coaching staff and you have every Chelsea fan’s dream managerial line-up.
Denise from thechelseablog.org
Score prediction? I’m far too superstitious to make score predictions but I think it’s fair to say Germany will feel our presence.
Chelsea's starting line-up? With four suspensions and injury factored in, we’re not exactly spoilt for choice so to an extent the side picks itself. Take the defence, with both JT and Ivanovic out, it has to be Luiz and Cahill irrespective of their month out injured. Ashley Cole takes his usual slot and probably Bosingwa right-back. I can’t see Di Matteo risking playing with two strikers – at least until we see how the game pans out anyway. So, in front of a back four that isn’t our strongest, Mikel and Lampard are the safe bet for me. Sturridge and Kalou to provide some width although what we’ll do defensively down the wings, I’m not so sure and Mata central behind Drogba.
Bayern's biggest threat? As long as it’s not the ref, we might be ok but realistically, any of their midfield could cause us problems on the night in terms of their attacking threat. I’ll go for Gomez though, 12 goals in the Champions League so far and always looks a threat when he’s got the ball. I have a feeling Ivanovic might have had his number if he’d been playing but I can see him getting through our midfield a bit easier than our nerves will want him to on the night.
Di Matteo's main selection dilemma? I guess the biggest dilemma about the selection is trying to make sure it isn’t his last, although in terms of picking his side, I think the concerns come down the wings defensively. I’m assuming Malouda won’t play, and Kalou doesn’t compare to either him or Ramires when questions are asked of him. On the right hand side of course, it’ll be a matter of whether the Jose Bosingwa of old turns up, or the new and improved version we saw against Barcelona.
Which player will be missed the most? That’s a really close call between John Terry and Ramires. Terry would be the obvious one to go for because in terms of his leadership, he’s always an absolute rock for us in the big games. Having said that, I think Lampard and Drogba will fulfil that role admirably, with Cech doing his bit. Drogba, in particular, seems more up for this game than ever – personally I think he’s jut excited about mmeeting the ref! So, I’ll go for Ramires. We relied heavily on him for our goals against Barcelona over the two legs, not to mention the corker he scored himself and we’ll miss his pace coming out of midfield.
Stick with Di Matteo next season regardless of the result? Have you asked Roman - I’m sure for him, it’ll hinge on the outcome of the game and even then he wouldn’t guarantee it. For me though, definitely he deserves a shot at it. He might not have the highest profile going but we’ve tried the big names, as well as the up-and-coming ones, and we still can’t get past the temporary contract stage. It gets a bit tedious playing guess-the-manager every season now and whatever happens Saturday, we’ll never sustain success until we let a manager embed himself at the club.
Blueboy from justchelsea.com
Score prediction? 2-1 to Chelsea - Bayern will probably score first!
Chelsea's starting line-up? (4-4-1-1) Cech; Bertrand, Luiz, Cahill, Bosingwa; Kalou, Lampard, Mikel, Sturridge; Mata; Drogba
Bayern's biggest threat? Robben, as the old-boys always come back to haunt you!
Di Matteo's main selection dilemma? Whether to use Bertrand or the veteran Paulo Ferreira in defence
Which player will be missed the most? For me, definitely Ivanovic. He has taken over John Terry’s role as The Rock, and scores more goals too...
Stick with Di Matteo next season regardless of the result? Yes, but the result isn’t in doubt anyway! He has given the boys their confidence back.
Mark from chelseafcblog.com
Score prediction? Chelsea win 1-0.
Chelsea's starting line-up? (4-3-3) Cech; Cole, Cahill, Luiz, Bosingwa; Mikel, Lampard, Essien; Mata, Drogba, Kalou
Bayern's biggest threat? Arjen Robben, be typical if he comes back to haunt us.
Di Matteo's main selection dilemma? Should he start Drogba and Torres? He might go 4-4-2 with a midfield of Mikel, Lampard, Mata, Kalou with Drogba and Torres up front.
Which player will be missed the most? Ramires. Works his socks off. Has recently looked at his passport and discovered he's Brazilian and now has control of the football.
Stick with Di Matteo next season regardless of the result? Roberto Di Matteo should be our next boss regardless of the result. He's passed his probation period more ably than many of our previous permanent appointments.
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