Champions League Final 2012 - Chelsea 1 (4) - (3) 1 Bayern Munich

[BleedsBlue 1,549]

I am actually relieved that we aren't facing Madrid in the final because they would have been a tougher test than Bayern.Defensively,Bayern aren't really strong,so we can really hurt them on the counter attack.With Ramires suspended for the final,I would like Torres to start as a right winger.RDM should try and start both together once,to see how they fare out but with the busy schedule up ahead,I doubt it will happen.Sturridge though must start for the final.

He has the pace and trickery to baffle their defense and is not afraid to take half chances.His energy can be a real asset.For him to get selected,he will need to play really well in the league and prove RDM that he is up for this task.So having said that,I really hope he starts against QPR and plays well.

[capriccioso 2,545]

Yep, motivation or no motivation Real Madrid would have battered us, because our strengths are nothing difficult for them to deal with.

[Term-X 7,891]

The last time Bayern reached a CL final it was against a side that had triumphed against the supposed 'greatest team ever'. Yes, we are the underdogs, and as Ollie stated, the only time we were favourites in the knockout stages of this competition was against Benfica, and we almost fucked that up.

And to think, the CL campaign was practically over in this moment in time……

[Jase 43,479]

Anything can happen in a Champions league final, you have to believe that and if the players believe that then I have no doubt Chelsea can pull it out of the bag.

Rooting for you lads.

This is just weird, coming from an Everton fan.

And I still blame you guys for not beating those cavemen in the semis!

[Predator 114]

This is just weird, coming from an Everton fan.

And I still blame you guys for not beating those cavemen in the semis!

Everton fans are very random

[Jase 43,479]

Not sure anyone have come across this but just to stoke things up a little.

http://www.goal.com/...l-says-frank-de

Ajax coach Frank de Boer has voiced his displeasure with the way Chelsea eliminated Barcelona in the semi-finals of the Champions League.

The Blues edged the Catalans 1-0 at Stamford Bridge, before delivering a rigid defensive performance in the second leg to hold Pep Guardiola's men to a 2-2 draw at Camp Nou to confirm a date in the final with Bayern Munich.

"This is terrible. How the hell is this still possible? It is one way of achieving success, but not ours [Ajax's]. I would rather go down fighting, De Boer told Algemeen Dagblad.

The Barcelona legend then took a dig at Chelsea attacker Juan Mata, who he believes was very underwhelming in the tie.

"If you ask Mata 'now you have twice played against Barcelona, what have you done?' he will say 'I defended blindly and booted balls forward'. But Mata is supposed to be a technical player, right?"

And...

http://www.guardian....-bayern-chelsea

Rummenigge, who has been one of the most active supporters of Uefa's financial fair play initiative and is a strong critic of the trend of billionaires buying and funding football clubs, said: "Since Wednesday night, I have received an incredible number of text messages and emails from colleagues throughout Europe.

"They like that we are in the final with the philosophy that we have. They feel we deserve the title. And there are many non-Bayern fans who will be keeping their fingers crossed for us."

[Ollie 4,400]

" I would rather go down fighting"

I'd Rather not go down at all lol.

These quotes are great, more pressure on Bayern to win. What happened the last time Bayern played Barca in the UCL? Oh shit... sorry. We won't mention what happened in the Nou Camp when they tried to play football.

[Predator 114]

Not sure anyone have come across this but just to stoke things up a little.

And...

http://www.guardian....-bayern-chelsea

I agree with KHR about millionaires buying clubs

" I would rather go down fighting"

I'd Rather not go down at all lol.

These quotes are great, more pressure on Bayern to win. What happened the last time Bayern played Barca in the UCL? Oh shit... sorry. We won't mention what happened in the Nou Camp when they tried to play football.

Oh Im sorry, that was three seasons ago, back under Jurgen Klinsmann, times have changed sir, currently, we can challenge Barcelona just like we did against Real Madrid!

[Ollie 4,400]

Barca and Real have different styles. Just because you knocked out Real Madrid doesn't mean you woulda knocked out Barca because that's not the same. If you had played 'football' against Barcelona, it woulda been the same score again just like if we had came out and played football and went at them.

The way we played against Barca is the only way you can play against Barca and everyone is jealous because we managed to successfully do it.

[Igi26 346]

Barca and Real have different styles. Just because you knocked out Real Madrid doesn't mean you woulda knocked out Barca because that's not the same. If you had played 'football' against Barcelona, it woulda been the same score again just like if we had came out and played football and went at them.

The way we played against Barca is the only way you can play against Barca and everyone is jealous because we managed to successfully do it.

Agree with you.

[Predator 114]

Barca and Real have different styles. Just because you knocked out Real Madrid doesn't mean you woulda knocked out Barca because that's not the same. If you had played 'football' against Barcelona, it woulda been the same score again just like if we had came out and played football and went at them.

The way we played against Barca is the only way you can play against Barca and everyone is jealous because we managed to successfully do it.

The way we play has dramatically changed since than, our defense is far better, we have new players, different manager, almost everything has changed. Barca has lost form recently, we probably would have had the same result.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Oh Im sorry, that was three seasons ago, back under Jurgen Klinsmann, times have changed sir, currently, we can challenge Barcelona just like we did against Real Madrid!

Didn't you play Barca in pre-season? I know it was only a friendly, but I remember that Bayern were well and truly beaten.

Bayern are no doubt the favorites in the final, but Chelsea are no way far behind them. We showed we can beat anyone; Bayern's over-confidence will cost them the tittle, mark my words.

[Predator 114]

Didn't you play Barca in pre-season? I know it was only a friendly, but I remember that Bayern were well and truly beaten.

Bayern are no doubt the favorites in the final, but Chelsea are no way far behind them. We showed we can beat anyone; Bayern's over-confidence will cost them the tittle, mark my words.

Compare the lineup we used that game, with the lineup we use now

Bayern are favorites in the media, Bayern aren't one to underestimate in the champions league, Bayern perform better in bigger games, that is a fact.. I am not going to underestimate Chelsea, as I consider this you guys a bigger opponent than Real Madrid. All I can say is, may the best man win, and the bloody hell, I cant wait for it to start, hurry up May 19!!!!!!!

[capriccioso 2,545]

Not sure anyone have come across this but just to stoke things up a little.

http://www.goal.com/...l-says-frank-de

And...

http://www.guardian....-bayern-chelsea

Plebs the both of them. Rummenigge is just jelly that we're the new kids on the block who are challenging the Ancien Regime, de Boer is some Cruijff wannabe. He can go down 'fighting' and lose 12-0. I'll take both their words with extremely small pinches of salt.

Frank de Boer and all the other critics of our game are no better intellectually than World War I generals, who believed that 19th century tactics were applicable and the only honourable way to fight despite the harsh reality of post Industrial Revolution warfare. Similarly, todays critics believe 20th century tactics of trying to beat a team in a non-Machiavellian manner are ignoring the truth. This is football, not life, there is no need to conform to what other people believe is honourable so shut your mouths and mind your own business.

[Predator 114]

Frank de Boer and all the other critics of our game are no better intellectually than World War I generals, who believed that 19th century tactics were applicable and the only honourable way to fight despite the harsh reality of post Industrial Revolution warfare. Similarly, todays critics believe 20th century tactics of trying to beat a team in a non-Machiavellian manner are ignoring the truth. This is football, not life, there is no need to conform to what other people believe is honourable so shut your mouths and mind your own business.

[capriccioso 2,545]

I often compare football with history, as they are my two greatest passions in life. Other comparisons of de Boer's "go down fighting" theory include:

- Invading Russia in winter.

- Attempting a war on multiple fronts.

- Attempting to defeat the Spartans at Thermopylae

- Sending your entire navy all the way around from Ukraine to Japan, via South Africa, only to see nearly all of them sunk within a few days of arrival.

- Invading England with a vastly superior naval fleet.

That's all I can think of, offhand. Any other disastrous military campaign(s) can be used to describe de Boer, as well.

[Ashblues 30]

Most of the Bayern Fans think that they have already won the CL. But, I am very confident that we can scare them if Robbie decides to give special attention in stopping the Bayern Wingers ( Robben, Ribery) probably by doing double that is helping Cole and Bosingwa . And long balls to Drogba will also be great as he can bully those second string Bayern defenders. It will be a very tough match. Looking forward to this....eagerly....

[KonohasOrangeFlash 2,607]

I actually was indifferent towards Bayern fans, but their cockiness and arrogance now makes me wish we destroy them!