Amidst the sacking issues, replacement contemplations, Viera’s taunts against his former club, Arsenal; the main topic that eclipses all these is the European Clubs BIGGEST competition- the Champions League Final. This year’s final will be played tomorrow, Saturday, May 17, 2012, at the Allianz Arena, home of one of the finalists- Bayern Munich- in German.
The only English club to find its way to the Quarter-final, slogged its way to the final, and will be facing the German team, who are coincidentally the host of this year’s final. Both teams are no novice to the champions league final, therefore, they stand an almost equal chance to lift the trophy.
The Venue
Munich playing at home can either serve as an advantage or a hindrance to them. They can horn on the home fans to cheer and inspire them to victory; on the other hand, they can equally crank under pressure to deliver.
For Chelsea, their fairytale run to the final will be a great advantage to them. NOBODY believed in them to get to the final (not even their chairman, Abrahamovic), owing to their dismal run early this season. They had to overturn a 3-1 defeat to Napoli- that, I still think was the turning point of their season. They went on to overcome their easier but tricky obstacle in the form of Benfica. Then came their- and anyone’s biggest test- Barcelona; and against all odds, they triumphed, finding themselves in the final to face the host. This journey has done a lot to the belief in this Chelsea side. This can actually be a plus to them.
For the records, Bayern are pursuing their fifth European Cup, to make them joint third most successful club in European competitions, behind Real Madrid and AC Milan. Munich has not lost a match in their last 14 outings at the Allianz Arena- winning 13 and drawing the other one.
Chelsea on other hand, have won just ONE game away from home in the champions league this season. Both sides have met once in 2005, with the Blues winning by a 6-5 aggregate.
Suspensions will also play a great role in outcome of the finals. A total of SEVEN first team players were suspended from the final. Bayern will suffer the loss of three of their players- Gustavo, Badstuber, and Alaba; while Chelsea will do without Captain Terry, Meireles, Ramires and Ivanovic.
Overall…I believe the most patient team will win the day. Statistics and home advantage may make it easy for Bayern, but my heart want Chelsea to lift their first Champion League trophy…even if they do so before my team-Arsenal.
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