TERRY VENABLES
Published: Today at 00:07
Q: If Chelsea are to win, which individual will be the most instrumental?
Fine Schwein shirt
BASTIAN SCHWEINSTEIGER is ready to get shirty with Frank Lampard again.
The Bayern Munich star, 27, swapped shirts with the Chelsea midfielder after Germany crushed England 4-1 at the World Cup in June 2010.
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A: I have to say Lampard — his midfield battle with Bastian Schweinsteiger will be key.
The pair swapped shirts after England’s 4-1 defeat by Germany at the World Cup two years ago. Schweinsteiger was then pictured wearing Lamps’ Three Lions top on holiday a few weeks later.
Both players have the utmost mutual respect and have spoken in glowing terms about each other in recent days.
But that appreciation will go out of the window tonight as they each try to give their team the upper hand.
I feel the one who comes out on top in this duel will end up with a winner’s medal.
Q: With John Terry, Branislav Ivanovic, Ramires and Raul Meireles banned, how do you expect Roberto Di Matteo to approach this match?
A: It is obviously not helpful to lose that quartet, but Bayern will also be missing three key men in Luiz Gustavo, David Alaba and Holger Badstuber so I think in many ways that evens up slightly.
For Chelsea, it is the chance for the likes of Gary Cahill, David Luiz and maybe even Daniel Sturridge off the bench to step out of the shadows and make history.
Two months ago, they could never have dreamt they would be playing in the Champions League final. But they are and they must make the most of it, regardless of what obstacles and suspensions have been placed in their way.
Di Matteo has taken Chelsea a long way by being cautious and I expect patience to be his byword in the Allianz Arena.
He knows from victories over Napoli, Benfica and Barcelona he does not have to win in 90 minutes. He can do it in 120 or even on penalties.
Q: How can Chelsea replace the leadership of Terry and the energy of Ramires?
A: Lampard will take the Chelsea armband and lead them into battle. He has long been Terry’s vice-captain and is well respected in the Blues’ dressing room.
He has had a terrific end to the season and helped bring the club together. He has always stepped up when the going has got tough. So I have no worries about Chelsea being rudderless.
Replacing the energy of Ramires may be more difficult as he has incredible stamina.
Chelsea will have no problem filling his place with the likes of Florent Malouda or Salomon Kalou. Both are talented players in their own right but neither is blessed with the engine.
Q: Chelsea parked the bus at the Nou Camp. Will they need to do the same at the Allianz?
A: Di Matteo is almost certain to go with his preferred formation of 4-2-3-1, which becomes more like a 4-5-1 when they are defending.
Chelsea will not have to park the bus as much as they did against Barcelona but they will remain contained. The last thing they will want to do is concede an early goal and be forced to chase the game.
Q: What is Chelsea’s best chance of victory?
A: Set-pieces. Lampard, Didier Drogba and Juan Mata can all strike free-kicks well and even without JT they will be a force in the opposing box. Defenders Cahill and Luiz will be the threat in these situations.
Q: What does Drogba have to prove after a red card in Moscow four years ago?
A: He has everything to prove after the way he behaved as his team lost on penalties to Manchester United. Suspension means Terry cannot make up for his spot-kick miss. But Drogba has a wonderful chance to lay his demons to rest. I am sure he will be keen not to waste it.
Q: Who are Bayern Munich’s dangermen and how can Chelsea stop them?
A: Chelsea must be aware of too much R and R.
I don’t mean rest and recuperation but Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery.
Bayern’s Munich’s two widemen both pose serious threats to Chelsea’s chances of being crowned European champions.
But even more of a danger is striker Mario Gomez, who has continued to improve this season and is seriously under-rated. He is their biggest strike threat and, with Terry and Ivanovic banned, he will fancy his chances of bullying the Blues’ defence.
Cahill will have to remain on his guard and replicate his stunning showing in Chelsea’s semi-final first-leg win over Barcelona. He will also have to stand his ground and move his feet when the crosses rain in and avoid getting caught under the ball.
Q: How important will revenge be for Robben?
A: He will be out to show his old club what they are missing and he has the potential to be a match-winner.
He is a clever player who has the ability to ghost into dangerous positions and cause damage. He will need to be watched closely.
Q: What is your prediction?
A: I can see this one going all the way to extra-time and possibly even penalties.
Q: And finally, if Chelsea do win, what will the future hold for RDM?
A: He has done a fantastic job. If it was up to me I’d give him another year regardless of tonight’s outcome.
But his chances of being Chelsea manager next season appear slim, even if they do beat Bayern.
In many ways though, he can’t lose. If he gets the job, he will be happy and if he gets the push he will surely be handsomely rewarded.
And after the way he has performed as interim boss he is virtually guaranteed to walk into a job elsewhere.
TERRY VENABLES
Published: Today at 00:07
Q: If Chelsea are to win, which individual will be the most instrumental?
Fine Schwein shirt
BASTIAN SCHWEINSTEIGER is ready to get shirty with Frank Lampard again.
The Bayern Munich star, 27, swapped shirts with the Chelsea midfielder after Germany crushed England 4-1 at the World Cup in June 2010.
Related Stories
A: I have to say Lampard — his midfield battle with Bastian Schweinsteiger will be key.
The pair swapped shirts after England’s 4-1 defeat by Germany at the World Cup two years ago. Schweinsteiger was then pictured wearing Lamps’ Three Lions top on holiday a few weeks later.
Both players have the utmost mutual respect and have spoken in glowing terms about each other in recent days.
But that appreciation will go out of the window tonight as they each try to give their team the upper hand.
I feel the one who comes out on top in this duel will end up with a winner’s medal.
Q: With John Terry, Branislav Ivanovic, Ramires and Raul Meireles banned, how do you expect Roberto Di Matteo to approach this match?
A: It is obviously not helpful to lose that quartet, but Bayern will also be missing three key men in Luiz Gustavo, David Alaba and Holger Badstuber so I think in many ways that evens up slightly.
For Chelsea, it is the chance for the likes of Gary Cahill, David Luiz and maybe even Daniel Sturridge off the bench to step out of the shadows and make history.
Two months ago, they could never have dreamt they would be playing in the Champions League final. But they are and they must make the most of it, regardless of what obstacles and suspensions have been placed in their way.
Di Matteo has taken Chelsea a long way by being cautious and I expect patience to be his byword in the Allianz Arena.
He knows from victories over Napoli, Benfica and Barcelona he does not have to win in 90 minutes. He can do it in 120 or even on penalties.
Q: How can Chelsea replace the leadership of Terry and the energy of Ramires?
A: Lampard will take the Chelsea armband and lead them into battle. He has long been Terry’s vice-captain and is well respected in the Blues’ dressing room.
He has had a terrific end to the season and helped bring the club together. He has always stepped up when the going has got tough. So I have no worries about Chelsea being rudderless.
Replacing the energy of Ramires may be more difficult as he has incredible stamina.
Chelsea will have no problem filling his place with the likes of Florent Malouda or Salomon Kalou. Both are talented players in their own right but neither is blessed with the engine.
Q: Chelsea parked the bus at the Nou Camp. Will they need to do the same at the Allianz?
A: Di Matteo is almost certain to go with his preferred formation of 4-2-3-1, which becomes more like a 4-5-1 when they are defending.
Chelsea will not have to park the bus as much as they did against Barcelona but they will remain contained. The last thing they will want to do is concede an early goal and be forced to chase the game.
Q: What is Chelsea’s best chance of victory?
A: Set-pieces. Lampard, Didier Drogba and Juan Mata can all strike free-kicks well and even without JT they will be a force in the opposing box. Defenders Cahill and Luiz will be the threat in these situations.
Q: What does Drogba have to prove after a red card in Moscow four years ago?
A: He has everything to prove after the way he behaved as his team lost on penalties to Manchester United. Suspension means Terry cannot make up for his spot-kick miss. But Drogba has a wonderful chance to lay his demons to rest. I am sure he will be keen not to waste it.
Q: Who are Bayern Munich’s dangermen and how can Chelsea stop them?
A: Chelsea must be aware of too much R and R.
I don’t mean rest and recuperation but Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery.
Bayern’s Munich’s two widemen both pose serious threats to Chelsea’s chances of being crowned European champions.
But even more of a danger is striker Mario Gomez, who has continued to improve this season and is seriously under-rated. He is their biggest strike threat and, with Terry and Ivanovic banned, he will fancy his chances of bullying the Blues’ defence.
Cahill will have to remain on his guard and replicate his stunning showing in Chelsea’s semi-final first-leg win over Barcelona. He will also have to stand his ground and move his feet when the crosses rain in and avoid getting caught under the ball.
Q: How important will revenge be for Robben?
A: He will be out to show his old club what they are missing and he has the potential to be a match-winner.
He is a clever player who has the ability to ghost into dangerous positions and cause damage. He will need to be watched closely.
Q: What is your prediction?
A: I can see this one going all the way to extra-time and possibly even penalties.
Q: And finally, if Chelsea do win, what will the future hold for RDM?
A: He has done a fantastic job. If it was up to me I’d give him another year regardless of tonight’s outcome.
But his chances of being Chelsea manager next season appear slim, even if they do beat Bayern.
In many ways though, he can’t lose. If he gets the job, he will be happy and if he gets the push he will surely be handsomely rewarded.
And after the way he has performed as interim boss he is virtually guaranteed to walk into a job elsewhere.
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