"We know of his physical strength and that it is going to be a physical game. But we are a strong team and I cannot see there being any problems."

That's the only part that stands out.

Currently playing, Behind Blue Eyes,

The Who.

That depends on us Benji, on how many balls in free play we can put on the Drog when he is against the Bayern CBs. No doubt he can get the better of them in that situation for me, however on corners and freekicks have to agree with Lahm because they can put Gomez on the Drog.

14 hours to go! Go on the Chels!

I genuinely do not understand all of the negativity. If we can draw in the Nou Camp, we can win in the Allianz. Bayern are a great team - that they've made it this far is evidence enough of that, but they're no juggernaut. They didn't win the Bundesliga, they didn't win the DFB-pokal. Dortmund smashed their faces with a hammer in the cup and swept them during the season. Playing at home gives them an advantage, no doubt, and when you have two more or less evenly matched teams, conventional wisdom is to favor the home team. Fair play to that. But I'm seeing so many people just write us off and I have to laugh. Am I nervous? Yeah, I'd be nervous no matter who we're playing, it's the Champion's League Final! That said, there's been enough crow eaten by these sanctimonious pundits over the course of the Champion's League to end hunger in Africa. Let's serve those bar stewards dessert tomorrow.

That depends on us Benji, on how many balls in free play we can put on the Drog when he is against the Bayern CBs. No doubt he can get the better of them in that situation for me, however on corners and freekicks have to agree with Lahm because they can put Gomez on the Drog.

Gomez is tall but he's not strong or physical enough to trouble Didier. I'm far more worried about how we're going to defend against their wide players than I am about Drogba. If he gets proper service, he'll score. Mario Gomez, of all people, isn't going to prevent that from happening.

Supposed to be a day of rain here tomorrow. Some real London type weather, I consider this a good sign!

Gomez is tall but he's not strong or physical enough to trouble Didier. I'm far more worried about how we're going to defend against their wide players than I am about Drogba. If he gets proper service, he'll score. Mario Gomez, of all people, isn't going to prevent that from happening.

Word is our plan for that is Bertrand in front of Cole on our left, Kalou in front of Bosingwa on the right. I would say Gomez is their best assest to defend set plays, unless Zippy wants to corret that?

Word is our plan for that is Bertrand in front of Cole on our left, Kalou in front of Bosingwa on the right. I would say Gomez is their best assest to defend set plays, unless Zippy wants to corret that?

Their best asset to defend set plays is to prevent us from having too many of them. If Gomez is matching up with Drogba often in the box, they're going to get scored on.

Edited May 19, 201214 yr by That Boy Brandinho

Word is our plan for that is Bertrand in front of Cole on our left, Kalou in front of Bosingwa on the right. I would say Gomez is their best assest to defend set plays, unless Zippy wants to corret that?

That would be interesting but what formation would Bertrand fit into?

I know this is a rather meaningless question, but who do you think, out of Cahill and Luiz, will play in Terry position of left-centre back (LCB)? That is to say, on the side towards Cole rather than Bosingwa. It won't really make much of a difference, but I was just wondering.

I dunno but Cahill should be locked onto Gomez at all times

One of of them should be at least. Mikel will have to provide a lot of defensive cover also.

Total cliche but no matter what happens I'm proud of the team. Well unless they lose 10-0 today. ;)

No but seriously I thought we were done after the first leg of the Napoli game. That comeback in the second leg was incredible.

Then against Barcelona we were such a underdog that on Twitter the hashtag #ChelseacanWinIf was trending. We were a joke to rival fans on Twitter yet we somehow pulled off the upset.

We're playing with house money in other words. I will be incredibly dissapointed if they lose but I will put it in perspective.

Edited May 19, 201214 yr by kitierkatba

Here is a good write-up of all the tactics to be had in this game:

http://www.weaintgotnohistory.com/2012/5/18/3027617/tactical-preview-champions-league-final-chelsea-vs-bayern-munich

The Betrand talk scares me a bit. I love to see him getting chances, but to rush him into the final (out of position) is just wrong. I can't remember the guy started a CL match for us yet. I think if we chop and change to nullify the threat of Robben and Riberly, we will get ourselves in trouble. One last thing, for heaven sake dont start with Malouda tonight.

Doubt Malouda will start with his injury and I don't think thats a bad thing.

KrazyTea, that tactical analysis was a great read and certainly gave me more hope. Thanks for sharing.

No probs, it did the same for me

Feck it almost 12 hours from the game and I've still got one sleep to go. I'm bricking it with excitement and nerves. I wish it was all kicking off now.

The definition of a big game. The definition of the unexpected.

This sounds bad, but WIN OR LOSE, I am excited for tomorrow to be over. One of my old classmates was in town tonight, and I was soooo boring because I can think of nothing but this game.

I am assuming everyone else on this board felt physically ill today? I have been sober all week, yet today I still felt like I had giant hangover, all due to this goddamn game.

COYB, make this personal suffering worth it!

I am wide awake and very nervous.

So much sport in today to get me through the day though.

I am wide awake and very nervous.

So much sport in today to get me through the day though.

There's only one game today mate. I'm listening to the BBC podcast about the game trying to decide if we should start Torres on the right or not. They've convinced me it could make or break the game.

Think Bretrand on the left in from of Cole is a genius idea and should have been the case all season long instead of playing Mata out of position or playing Kalou or Malouda there. He has a decent left peg, will stretch whoever plays on the right as he won't be cutting inside and naturally he will track back.

Good luck tonight from a Schalke Supporter .

CU in Champions League next season.