Kalou will start imo. Robbie seems to trust him over any other wide player atm.

I agree with you Mike, which means, barring injury, there is only one spot up for grabs in our starting XI.

Seeing as Kalou can play wide right or left, the one spot available will be between Malouda, Torres and Sturridge.

For me, Mata definitely plays in the free role behind the striker, because that's where he's most effective, and also, because of the way Robbie sets up, our wide players have to do an awful lot of tracking back, and that renders Mata almost entirely ineffective on the flank.

I'm sure they are both close to being fit. If this were midseason Luiz may even be playing. They are holding them out so that they don't take any chances for the final.

David I'm more confident about, Cahill when he was interviewed before the FA Cup Final seemed a bit unsure.

And there is the problem, for both teams. We are the same going into Saturday's Cup Final v Dortmund, do we use Alaba, Luis Gustavo and Badstuber or do we leave them out and play our CL Final team ?

Tough decision for Heynckes.

For league games it is up in the air but your cup final, like ours, I expect both sides really want to win. Now with Luiz and Cahill out we could not use our (hopeful) CL defence however we could have used a midfield 5 we would use but did not, using Ramires who got the first goal.

Winning the FA cup ensured that this legendary group of players at least achieved one final salvo and gives us one last memory of the strength and ability. If they can win on the 19th then, well then they finish on the ultimate.

David I'm more confident about, Cahill when he was interviewed before the FA Cup Final seemed a bit unsure.

I'm confident they'll play, even at 80%

^ I'm hopeful we've learned our lesson from the Cup Final in Cardiff, under Ranieri, where Claudio responded to an injury situation by rushing players back, namely Hasselbaink and Le Saux, and it backfired on us. He wanted to play his strongest team but in such a situation this policy seldom works. You have to accept the hand you've been dealt and make the most of it. If players don't recover quickly enough, accept it, and play those that are fit enough. For such a big game, it is folly to take risks. A player must have confidence in his body, otherwise he's a liability. Sometimes players are so keen to play in a big game it can cloud the issue, but the manager has to be strong and clear-headed. Sure, if the player can play carrying a knock, that's different, but if he has to be rushed back, that's a disaster waiting to happen.

Edited May 8, 201214 yr by Davey Baby

^ I'm hopeful we've learned our lesson from the Cup Final in Cardiff, under Ranieri, where Claudio responded to an injury situation by rushing players back, namely Hasselbaink and Le Saux, and it backfired on us. He wanted to play his strongest team but in such a situation this policy seldom works. You have to accept the hand you've been dealt and make the most of it. If players don't recover quickly enough, accept it, and play those that are fit enough. For such a big game, it is folly to take risks. A player must have confidence in his body, otherwise he's a liability. Sometimes players are so keen to play in a big game it can cloud the issue, but the manager has to be strong and clear-headed. Sure, if the player can play carrying a knock, that's different, but if he has to be rushed back, that's a disaster waiting to happen.

Completely agree Davey.

I am starting to think Cahill isnt going to be 100% ready and if that's the case he shouldn't even be an option, even if it means a player out of position to fill in.

If Romeu performs well today I wonder if a formation like this might offer some different ideas

Romeu and Mikel could be better holding midfiedlers and Lampard could offer a more lethal goal scoring option up front than a very rusty Essien could and the inconsistent Kalou. Defensively Bos and Kalou should work together well with Romeu and Mikel holding up the mid. Romeu is probably a little too green for this type of game and Lampard might be a little too old to play in that attacking form vs his Schweinsteger type of role he's been playing. But this formation might give me less defensive jitters and more goal scoring threat as a whole

After todays shocking performance by most of the squad, I hope to god we see this.

Decent side that, ill be praying to the gods that Luiz and Cahill will be fit.

--------------Cech

-Bos----Luiz------Cahill-----Cole

--------Mikel------Lampard

--Torres----Mata--------Kalou

-------------Drogba

EDIT: Really hope its a bit of a smokescreen from RDM tonight when he said he wasnt sure of Cahills and Luiz's fitness, the way they seemed to jump around during the FA Cup celebrations I just cant see how they wont make it.

Edited May 8, 201214 yr by Andreas

No we won't play Mata behind the striker but on the wings, so a toss up between Essien & Romeu

No we won't play Mata behind the striker but on the wings, so a toss up between Essien & Romeu

Playing Mata in behind the striker is exactly where he needs to play.

IMO it will be a smash and grab game and considering we will be missing the energy of Ramires, it will be suicidal to play Mata in his favorite position. It won't be pretty (to be honest our cup games under RDM haven't been pretty) but it might get the job done.

No we won't play Mata behind the striker but on the wings

why do you think that?

Romeu was awful tonight but we shouldn't be surprised considering the amount of football he has played during the second half of the season. Essien isn't half the player he used to be after numerous injuries. For me we have to play 4-2-3-1 with Mikel and Lampard holding, and Mata playing behind either Drogba or Torres. I think we need to play Sturridge on the right where he seems happier and Kalou out on the left. As for the back four that picks itself due to suspensions.

Ya can't say Romeu played his way onto the team today. For defensive reasons I am not sure Sturridge should play on the Bosingwa side

After todays shocking performance by most of the squad, I hope to god we see this.

Decent side that, ill be praying to the gods that Luiz and Cahill will be fit.

--------------Cech

-Bos----Luiz------Cahill-----Cole

--------Mikel------Lampard

--Torres----Mata--------Kalou

-------------Drogba

EDIT: Really hope its a bit of a smokescreen from RDM tonight when he said he wasnt sure of Cahills and Luiz's fitness, the way they seemed to jump around during the FA Cup celebrations I just cant see how they wont make it.

Seems tonight showed Essien and Romeu are not going to be able to cope with facing Bayern, and as has already been discussed keep Flo Mo AWAY from this one. Playing Torres wide is looking more good by the minute...

We won't ever go that offensive against the team with the best wingers in the world, not even a chance!

I think the match will be pretty similar to the Barcelona-games. Park the bus in a 4-5-1 (4-1-4-1), lump it up to Drogba and hope that he can turn ash into gold once again. This means that Mata is pretty much useless (as a defensive winger), but I still think that he will play.

Cech

Bos Cahill Luiz Cole

Kalou Lamps Mikel Essien Mata

Drogba

It's a shame to see Essien in this shape, but he's twice as good as Romeu and Malouda still. At least he has some muscles to put in when needed.

I don't think there will ever be a team in a CL-final who will produce a team as weak as we will do 19. may. Let's just hope we got one more match where the luck is on our side :)

We won't ever go that offensive against the team with the best wingers in the world, not even a chance!

I think the match will be pretty similar to the Barcelona-games. Park the bus in a 4-5-1 (4-1-4-1), lump it up to Drogba and hope that he can turn ash into gold once again. This means that Mata is pretty much useless (as a defensive winger), but I still think that he will play.

Well written..

Cech

Bos Cahill Luiz Cole

Kalou Lamps Mikel Essien Mata

Drogba

It's a shame to see Essien in this shape, but he's twice as good as Romeu and Malouda still. At least he has some muscles to put in when needed.

I don't think there will ever be a team in a CL-final who will produce a team as weak as we will do 19. may. Let's just hope we got one more match where the luck is on our side :)

Wanted to quote Ozzboss & write "well written".

P.S. Any ideas on reverting back to the full screen from mobile mode on a tablet?

We won't ever go that offensive against the team with the best wingers in the world, not even a chance!

I think the match will be pretty similar to the Barcelona-games. Park the bus in a 4-5-1 (4-1-4-1), lump it up to Drogba and hope that he can turn ash into gold once again. This means that Mata is pretty much useless (as a defensive winger), but I still think that he will play.

Cech

Bos Cahill Luiz Cole

Kalou Lamps Mikel Essien Mata

Drogba

It's a shame to see Essien in this shape, but he's twice as good as Romeu and Malouda still. At least he has some muscles to put in when needed.

I don't think there will ever be a team in a CL-final who will produce a team as weak as we will do 19. may. Let's just hope we got one more match where the luck is on our side :)

I'm not sure if parking the bus is the best idea in this game. We may have to play more open than we did against Barca, as Bayern aren't as good at holding the ball as they are.

I don't think there will ever be a team in a CL-final who will produce a team as weak as we will do 19. may.

Liverpool 2005.

Dudek, Finnan (Hamann 46), Traore, Hyypia, Carragher, Riise, Gerrard, Luis Garcia, Alonso, Kewell (Smicer 23), Baros (Cisse 85).

Edited May 9, 201214 yr by coco

I'm not sure if parking the bus is the best idea in this game. We may have to play more open than we did against Barca, as Bayern aren't as good at holding the ball as they are.

I'm not sure either, but I think RDM will do it.

Don't think RDM will take the same approach as he did against Barcalona. For a start, to do so would give some justification to the "only Barcalona played football" crowd. Complete respect for Bayern but nothing to be afraid of. They only scored one penalty at the Bernabau and were quite lucky to get the winner in the first leg. Chelsea got two with 10 men at the Camp Nou.

Our lack of defender options is a real concern but I'm sure Bayern are also weakened. Let's see who shows the most hunger.

-------------------------Cech

Bossy--------Luiz-----------Cahill-------Cole

-------------------------Mikel

-----------------Mata-------Lampard

-----Lukaku------------------------Torres-----

------------------------Drogba

I'm confident Cole will keep Robben out. We need some muscle on the right, Lukaku is a gamble, but could be worth it.