2011-12 UEFA CL: Chelsea are European Champions

[treiz]

My preferred line up:

Cech

Ashley Cole
Cahill
David Luiz
Bosingwa

Mikel
Lampard

Kalou
Mata
Sturridge

Drogba

The one thing I like about this, is that if Sturridge down the left is that it's very flexible, we can switch Mata and Sturridge through the middle if need be to give Drogba some extra support up front, or Mata can work between the lines, obviously Kalou and whoever is on the other wing can interchange. I think it can cause a lot of problems for Schweinsteiger/Kroos in front of the defence, and with Drogba taking up the 2 CBs by himself, it could really do some damage

[lukekarts]

My preferred line up:

Cech

Ashley Cole
Cahill
David Luiz
Bosingwa

Mikel
Lampard

Kalou
Mata
Sturridge

Drogba

The one thing I like about this, is that if Sturridge down the left is that it's very flexible, we can switch Mata and Sturridge through the middle if need be to give Drogba some extra support up front, or Mata can work between the lines, obviously Kalou and whoever is on the other wing can interchange. I think it can cause a lot of problems for Schweinsteiger/Kroos in front of the defence, and with Drogba taking up the 2 CBs by himself, it could really do some damage

I would be very suprised if it looked any different. This is pretty much Di Matteo's preferred midfield/attack; and close to his first choice 11 save for the forced defensive adjustments.

[Yellow Flash]

Jupp Heynckes has just officially released the Bayern starting 11!!

---------------------------------------------- Neuer -------------------------------------------------

Lahm ------------- Boateng --------------------------- Tymoshchuk ------------------- Contento

-------------------------------- Schweinsteiger --------- Kroos -------------------------------

Robben -------------------------------- Müller --------------------------------------- Ribery

------------------------------------------- Gomez ---------------------------------------------------

This is the more offensive lineup with Müller. As expected, neither van Buyten is physically nor Breno is mentally fit enough to play. The one big surprise is Contento over Pranjic or Rafinha. I hope Contento has an ok game (everything more would be bonus) and that Boateng wins the header duels vs Drogba - Tymo won't give you that, he is a playing DM helping out as CB. Other than that, I think the team which makes less mistakes will win.

contento? now it's offically a 50/50 match-up

[Foye]

Jupp Heynckes has just officially released the Bayern starting 11!!

---------------------------------------------- Neuer -------------------------------------------------

Lahm ------------- Boateng --------------------------- Tymoshchuk ------------------- Contento

-------------------------------- Schweinsteiger --------- Kroos -------------------------------

Robben -------------------------------- Müller --------------------------------------- Ribery

------------------------------------------- Gomez ---------------------------------------------------

This is the more offensive lineup with Müller. As expected, neither van Buyten is physically nor Breno is mentally fit enough to play. The one big surprise is Contento over Pranjic or Rafinha. I hope Contento has an ok game (everything more would be bonus) and that Boateng wins the header duels vs Drogba - Tymo won't give you that, he is a playing DM helping out as CB. Other than that, I think the team which makes less mistakes will win.

contento? now it's offically a 50/50 match-up

Heynckes hates Rafinha. I hate Contento.


Chelsea will win this game. Defense will decide it and Munich's defense without Alaba and Badstuber is going to be horrendous.

[treiz]

I would be very suprised if it looked any different. This is pretty much Di Matteo's preferred midfield/attack; and close to his first choice 11 save for the forced defensive adjustments.

The one thing that'll worry me is the idea of Malouda playing on the left instead of Sturridge as I have this weird feeling Di Matteo will go full defensive for this game like against Barcelona even though we shouldn't. IMO we need to attack them and make their wingers pull back and make them play at their own half, not necessarily a high line (although this back four is probably the best back four to play a high line with the exception of Bos for Ivanovic, but Jose has the pace) we need to force the pressure upon Bayern and play freely since expectations for them are so high.

I think Sturridge offers us more option to attack and hopefully his dribbling abilities down the left can cause some trouble to whoever Bayern play at RB and like I said gives us some flexibility by switching Mata and playing Sturridge just behind Drogba and have Sturridge run at them or even run at Lahm (even though I'd try to avoid putting him there because of Bosingwa). If he gets to start, I'm expecting Sturridge to have a huge game as we know what to expect from the others at that starting line-up, he'll be the wild card that could ultimately decide the game

[treiz]

I would be very suprised if it looked any different. This is pretty much Di Matteo's preferred midfield/attack; and close to his first choice 11 save for the forced defensive adjustments.

The one thing that'll worry me is the idea of Malouda playing on the left instead of Sturridge as I have this weird feeling Di Matteo will go full defensive for this game like against Barcelona even though we shouldn't. IMO we need to attack them and make their wingers pull back, keep the pressure off our full backs especially Jose and make them play at their own half, not necessarily a high line (although this back four is probably the best back four to play a high line with the exception of Bos for Ivanovic, but Jose has the pace) we need to force the pressure upon Bayern and play freely since expectations for them are so high.

I think Sturridge offers us more option to attack and hopefully his dribbling abilities down the left can cause some trouble to whoever Bayern play at RB and like I said gives us some flexibility by switching Mata and playing Sturridge just behind Drogba and have Sturridge run at them (like Welbeck) or even run at Lahm (even though I'd try to avoid putting him there because of Bosingwa). If he gets to start, I'm expecting Sturridge to have a huge game as we know what to expect from the others at that starting line-up, he'll be the wild card that could ultimately decide the game

(Yes, I play too much FM and read too much ZM )

[5DOM]

I doubt Malouda's fit enough to start anyway, but I definitely would have preferred him to Sturridge who lacks discipline, experience and composure. It also helps that Malouda links pretty well with Drogba while Sturridge doesn't. I think the veterans realize how important this game is, and I trust they will try their best. I'm just too tired of seeing Sturridge ducking out every single challenge, and I would especially hate to see that in a CL Final. If Sturridge does play like expected, I hope to God he plays like someone who has something to prove - which he is.

[5DOM]

There are rumors of Bertrand starting at left wing. Huge gamble if Di Matteo decides to go that way, but hopefully it pays off.

[Yellow Flash]

Chelsea will win this game. Defense will decide it

if i remember correctly, you said the same thing for the bayern-real Semi Final.

hopefully you're wrong again.


imho whoever scores the first goal will win it.

[fatlever]

There are rumors of Bertrand starting at left wing. Huge gamble if Di Matteo decides to go that way, but hopefully it pays off.

i just saw this on twitter and was coming to post.

Chelsea Transfers ‏@CFCTransfers

According to the Mirror, the Guardian and the Sun Ryan Bertrand will start tomorrow #CFCMunich #ChampionsLeague

yeah, its a big gamble for sure. whoever gets the nod at left and right mid better bring it. i dont care if its sturridge, kalou, malouda, torres or bertand, they better bring something positive. all of them have something different they can bring for the game and i could see a logical argument for all of them (unless malouda doesnt pass fitness test).

torres
-pros: pace, work rate, crossing, most talented of the bunch
-cons: out of position, seems to fade in big moments (except barca goal)

kalou
-pros: can play left or right equally, tracks back on defense, pace, seems to luck into goals
-cons: makes too many dumb mistakes, has too many games where he is invisible

sturridge
-pros: can take on defenders, will be looking to score
-cons: defense, selfish, passing

bertrand
-pros: defense, crossing
-cons: out of position, inexperienced

malouda
-pros: experience, defense
-cons: slow, awful form

[treiz]

I doubt Malouda's fit enough to start anyway, but I definitely would have preferred him to Sturridge who lacks discipline, experience and composure. It also helps that Malouda links pretty well with Drogba while Sturridge doesn't. I think the veterans realize how important this game is, and I trust they will try their best. I'm just too tired of seeing Sturridge ducking out every single challenge, and I would especially hate to see that in a CL Final. If Sturridge does play like expected, I hope to God he plays like someone who has something to prove - which he is.

This is something I am hoping he shows as well, I want him to prove that he deserved that starting spot and actually play for the team. I'm also hoping the England snub will motivate him to do so

[Mr Grant Hill]

10 am over here in Germany, I'm already super pumped, TV will start full time coverage at 11.30 am, and my GF is already pissed , doesn't matter, today is the day, i mean THE day...

anyways, here are some pre-match impressions from the Bavarian capital:

[Jugs]

should be an absolute ripper. it starts in about 7 hours, not sure whether to sleep or stay up all night.

[Foye]

Chelsea will win this game. Defense will decide it

if i remember correctly, you said the same thing for the bayern-real Semi Final.

hopefully you're wrong again.


imho whoever scores the first goal will win it.

Well, I was right. Munich's D was better over the two legs than Reals.

[5DOM]

Sky confirms: Reports in France suggest Chelsea could beat Man City & Man Utd to the signing of Eden Hazard who is set to leave Lille. -S

Now we really have to win today

but this guy's starting to annoy me. Neymar/Robinho saga pt 2.

[Yellow Flash]

Well, I was right. Munich's D was better over the two legs than Reals.

no, you proclaimed an easy win for real

[J-Mezzy]

There is so much hype around Hazard. It's getting old.

[Foye]

Well, I was right. Munich's D was better over the two legs than Reals.

no, you proclaimed an easy win for real

I would never do that. You must be thinking about someone else. With Real Madrid there's way too much uncertainity because of their shaky defense.
I predict an easy win for Chelsea if both Drogba and Torres play right from the start, though.
Chelsea's defense should be much better than Munich's D. today.

[5DOM]

Looking more and more like Bertrand is going to start. Now Guardian and ESPN joined in. Hope this works out

[treiz]

Sky confirms: Reports in France suggest Chelsea could beat Man City & Man Utd to the signing of Eden Hazard who is set to leave Lille. -S

Now we really have to win today

but this guy's starting to annoy me. Neymar/Robinho saga pt 2.

We have to win this game now. So pumped!