Can you imagine how much Lukaku would be bricking it though, hardly played at all all season then suddenly "Romelu, you're starting the Champions League Final!"

That's almost the exact lineup I'd go for. Interesting that you put Lukaku in that position, though I'd have him above Sturridge or Malouda right now.

Kalou, I think, at least warrants consideration - he has gave his all in recent games, and could cover very well for Bosingwa on the right in Ramires' absence.

The goalkeeper (definitely the goalkeeper), defense and midfield pretty much pick themselves, and we need Drogba to be the focal point, he's been a monster in recent big games and I believe will go one better against Munich. But who plays out wide? Pick any two from Torres, Kalou and Lukaku - imo

Can you imagine how much Lukaku would be bricking it though, hardly played at all all season then suddenly "Romelu, you're starting the Champions League Final!"

This is a massive concern, especially considering how out of his depth he looked in his first game against United.

IMO this is a big oversight on behalf of the management. I'm a huge fan of Robbie's work so far, but his persistence with Malouda and Sturridge at the expense of Lukaku could prove very costly in the next game. The Blackburn game is a week before Munich, right? I'd be tempted to give Romelu a start, and see how he gets on.

First off, starting Lukaku in the CL final would be a huge mistake. It's too big a game for someone with as little experience as him. Secondly, I highly doubt we will be as defensive as we were against Barca. We MUST make use of Mata since Rami is suspended and Mata is probably our most creative player on the pitch. If we play all out defense, then there would be no use to have Mata on the pitch. I think that has already been proven against Barca.

First off, starting Lukaku in the CL final would be a huge mistake. It's too big a game for someone with as little experience as him. Secondly, I highly doubt we will be as defensive as we were against Barca. We MUST make use of Mata since Rami is suspended and Mata is probably our most creative player on the pitch. If we play all out defense, then there would be no use to have Mata on the pitch. I think that has already been proven against Barca.

Like it or not, we are going to have to defend for most of the game, it's no good saying we wont be as defensive as we were against Barca, we will be forced to be defensive, this is good imo, we know what we have to do for the first 89 minutes, defend with all our lives.

Were not going to be on the attack spraying the ball around from flank to flank pressing and prodding them down the wings, were going to be chasing them for the ball, closing them down, trying to win the ball, all in the hope that we can punt it up field when we do get possesion and hope things bounce our way. This team are not capable of winning in any other way, not against top opposition.

................................Cech

Boswinga.........Cahill.....Luiz............Ash

..............................Mikel

Torres.................Lampard..............Betrand

.............................Mata

.........................The Beast

Subs: Lukaku, Malouda, Essien, Romeu, Sturridge, Eddie Newton, Kalou, Turnbull

Edited May 9, 201214 yr by just

Is Lukaku even in our CL squad? Is Hutch?

And far as weak line ups go, the one we had after JT got sent off for near 60 mins in Barca will probably be weaker than what we put out against Bayern.

What matters most is whether the side we put our show as much concentration, determination and desire as the 10 lads (plus subs) we had that night or not.

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

-- Boss -------Luiz --- Cahill ----- Ash

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

Kalou --------- Mata ------- Bertrand

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

My thinking is Kalou & Bertrand will need to help out the fullbacks, Lahm loves to get forward. Also gives us pace on the counter. Bertrand has gone to Emirates & Anfield and not shown any signs of not being able to handle pressure. Id trust him and start him ahead of Malouda/Sturridge/Essien

I think its more likely Essien starts instead of Bertrand and Mata gets pushed out wide, which would be a shame. Essien based on form doesn't belong near this match. Its a sad day when you dont want to see him in the starting line up, but the injuries have taken their toll.

It would be nice to see Bertrand in the final but I doubt RDM would start him

-------------------------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.

Is lukaku in the CL squad,I dont think it

.

It would be nice to see Bertrand in the final but I doubt RDM would start him

Would be nicer to start the best LB in the world and have a chance of winning it. I'm not in anyway slating Bertrand but much to high profile game for someone with so little experience

Too early to talk about this game, I am scared and I am running out of this thread.

Edited May 9, 201214 yr by Zola

My side for the CL Final with everyone fit to play .

Cech

Boswinga Luiz Cahill Cole

Mikel Lampard

Mata

Torres Drogba Kalou

Please Please Luiz and Cahil return injury Free for this one if not i can only worry about the outcome. I see people suggesting Bertrand at Left Wing , isnt a bad idea but i cant see RDM playing a youngster in the biggest game of his life in a unfamiliar position . With the team above i feel very confident , we have the likes of Lampard Drogba even Torres that on there day can do something special out of nothing ! .

Edited May 9, 201214 yr by TorresRightBoot

It would be nice to see Bertrand in the final but I doubt RDM would start him

It would be nice, but he looked a little run around in the chaotic defence against Liverpool, I am not sure this is the best start for him in the CL.

Seems that Cahill is a real long shot & Luiz only a maybe. Whether this is 'mind games' with Bayern or the truth, it dont bear thinking about. A half fit Luiz with Bossy as centre halfs, Paulo at RB up against Ribery, Gomez & Robben aint gonna be pretty.

I encourage every god fearing poster on here to pray every day until the 19th for a recovery 'miracle' for Cahill and Luiz.

-------------------------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.

Absolutely no way we can have Lukaku starting this match!! Would be very surprised if he made the bench to be honest. I think kalou has more than warranted a place in this match through his recent performances and he certainly isn't shy about putting in a good hard shift defensively either. I know Ess isn't the player he once was after these injuries but I think he may be the man to fill in Ramires role on the right, still a powerful player and good defensively so would be able to help boss/paulo out on that flank

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

--Boss----------Cahill--------Luiz---------Cole

----------------Mikel-----------Lamps

--Essien-------------Mata------------Kalou

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

Its a 4231 formation as we have seen constatnly with Robbie's linueps so far but it will effectively be a 451, potentially 4411 if mata stays higher up the field. If we need it Torres can come on around the 60minute mark and cause some chaos through the Bayern D (with any luck). I belive Malouda's recent performances have played himself out of contention of any chance of a starting place

@coco

I personally believe this game will be a lot more open than against Barca. Guess we'll just have to wait and see.

@hisdogspot

I did not imply that Bertrand should start at the expense of Cole. I was just replying to the post above mine.

I dont like the thought of Bosingwa in the team...I fear he just cant handle a quick player and i feel the crux of us winning is to stifle their wing play...

Edited May 10, 201214 yr by Brimstone 2

What other choice do we have? We are missing about four of our defenders potentially...

Plus he would be up against Ribery who really isn't that talented a player and so should hopefully be able to deal with him.

Touchwood

Absolutely no way we can have Lukaku starting this match!! Would be very surprised if he made the bench to be honest. I think kalou has more than warranted a place in this match through his recent performances and he certainly isn't shy about putting in a good hard shift defensively either. I know Ess isn't the player he once was after these injuries but I think he may be the man to fill in Ramires role on the right, still a powerful player and good defensively so would be able to help boss/paulo out on that flank

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

--Boss----------Cahill--------Luiz---------Cole

----------------Mikel-----------Lamps

--Essien-------------Mata------------Kalou

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

Its a 4231 formation as we have seen constatnly with Robbie's linueps so far but it will effectively be a 451, potentially 4411 if mata stays higher up the field. If we need it Torres can come on around the 60minute mark and cause some chaos through the Bayern D (with any luck). I belive Malouda's recent performances have played himself out of contention of any chance of a starting place

Lukaku is not even in the list of players registered for the CL as far as I know.

Considering the lack of decent right midfielders available to play in place of Ramires, would be out of the question to play Paulo at RB and play Boss on the right of the 3?

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

--Paulo----Cahill-----------Luiz---Ash

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

--Boss-------------Mata-----------Kalou

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

Bosingwa's no slouch, we could use his pace up and down the right in a more advanced position, could be something to experiment with on Sunday v Blackburn.

Plus he would be up against Ribery who really isn't that talented a player and so should hopefully be able to deal with him.

Ribery is a brilliant player.

Just to be different

4 2 2 2

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

--Bos-----Cahill-----------Luiz-------Ash

---------Mikel----------Romeo/Essien---

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

-----------Torres----------Drogba--------

OR

4 3 1 2

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

--Bos-----Cahill-----------Luiz-------Ash-

-Rom/Essien----Mikel-------Lampard---

--------------------Mata----------------------

-----------Torres----------Drogba---------

OR

3 6 1 based on 1 centre halfs availability

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

------------------------Bos----------Cahill/Luiz-----------Ash--------------------------

-----Kalou-----Mata-----Rom/Essien-------Mikel------Lampard------Torres-----

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

Edited May 10, 201214 yr by smileysmiles