A rivalry will form when European giants Chelsea and Bayern Munich face off in the 2011/2012 UEFA Champions League Final.
The teams were considered underdogs in their semi-final legs against Barcelona and Real Madrid, but heading in to the final, a home advantage grants Bayern favouritism for the title.
Only once have the teams clashed in the past, with Chelsea progressing from the quarter final in 2005, with a mere 1-0 victory (6-5) on aggregate.
John Terry, Peter Cech, Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard from Chelsea, and only Bastian Schweinsteiger representing Bayern, remain from the 2005 clash, revealing the past is no result to influence the 2012 clash.
Bayern Munich and Chelsea both faced tough opposition in the build up, defeating heavily favoured Spanish clubs Real Madrid and Barcelona respectively.
Barcelona are currently the defending champions of the Champions League, and Real Madrid are the most successful club ever within its glory, claiming a total of nine titles.
Heading into the final, Bayern overcame competition from Basel, Marseille and Real Madrid, while Chelsea defeated Napoli, Benfica and lastly, the favourites, Barcelona.
Bayern Munich will be missing Badstuber, Gustavo and Alaba after conceding three yellow cards a piece in the earlier rounds of the Champions League.
Despite Bayern’s unofficial request to have the suspensions wavered, the UEFA governing body has made it clear that the suspensions will be upheld.
Chelsea see themselves in the same position as their German counterparts, with Ramires, Ivanovic, John Terry and Raul Meireiles, also sitting out as a result of suspension.
Manuel Neuer of Bayern Munich said: “Chelsea are also a great team, one game to decide it, it’s a knockout game and anything can happen, so we must be careful.”
Neuer is wary of Chelsea’s recent form, qualifying for two cup finals, the FA Cup against Liverpool and the Champions League, in conjunction with toppling the league favourites Barcelona.
Despite success on an international scale, on the home front, Chelsea are predicted to finish sixth behind Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool and Newcastle, and Bayern are unable to catch Dortmund for the Bundesliga title, the UEFA Champions League Final is primarily a tale of the underdogs.
As Chelsea look likely of failing to reach the top four within the English Premier League with two rounds remaining, a win over Bayern Munich will consolidate a position in the Champions League for the 2012/13 season, knocking out the fourth-placed EPL team.
Chelsea will be putting everything they have got into the final against Bayern to make sure they will have a chance to play European football next season, and one team will come up trumps to finish the regular seasons on a high note.
The UEFA Champions League Final will be played on the 19th of May, 2012 at Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany.
bennin
Guest
great last sentence mate.chelsea fc deserve an ucl title and they r gonna fight until the end
jake
Guest
i agree with the chap brian munich are very strong and will be tough opposition against chelsea . but munich will want it more especially in their own back yard . chelsea will give it their best . but i think munich will take the cup
Mikkycyruz
Guest
Well i c the blues winning d champions leauge cuz they are alwayz known to cuz confusion, anxiety and fustration to their opponents. napoli and bacelonia can tell d story! chelsea has d players. ramires or not,they've got the tools. david luis is playin dat day and drogba, torres, and the rest are upfront. so there is noway they are not gonna win it! now robben will b force to b subtituted cuz he will b playin with dsame team he played wit. so pple, THE BLUES GOT IT HOME OR NOT!
Peterkin, Ghana
Guest
If Chelsea has any story to tell, any achievement to be proud of, any history to make and any honor to show then it is now. Even though Bayern may have slight advantage over my dear club Chelsea ahead of the final game taking into consideration not only the number but also the pedigree of the suspended players of both clubs and also the fact that Bayern will play as host to Chelsea, I believe strongly that Chelsea has more than what it takes to thwart Bayern's plans and frustrate them against all odds even more than what they did to that 'TEAM' in Spain recently. My advice to Chelsea is that they should be both careful and discipline before, during and after the 19th May's clash to avoid all the avoidable. Chelsea, when we get to the bridge, we will know how to cross it.
Jason Cave
Guest
Also don't forget that Chelsea would have to back up from playing in the FA Cup Final against Liverpool, and also playing against the same team four days later in a crunch EPL game as well. BTW, one more thing-next year could the FA bring the FA Cup kick-off time back to 12:00am (AEST) rather than 2:15am, as was the case this year?
Brian
Guest
The big 2 suspensions are Alaba and Ramirez respectively. I too favour the Bavarians, they're at home have been in better form during the year and have the historically better performing penalty takers.
Zach.WB
Guest
Oh your right, sorry, was thinking of the FA cup final this weekend! The rookie in me prevails..
Matt F
Roar Guru
One thing is for certain. Whoever finishes 4th in the EPL (Arsenal, Tottenham or Newcastle) is going to have an extremely nervous week leading up to this game! I favour Bayern slightly. The fact that it's being played, fortuitously, at their home ground must be a real boost and I think that Chelsea's suspensions are just a little bit more significant then Bayern's, especially if Gary Cahill isn't fit by then. It does seem increasingly likely that he will play though.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
My money is on the Bavarians. Partly because I like the way the play, partly because I'm fond of the Bundesliga, but primarily because I think the party in Münich if they win is going to outstrip anything that Chelsea is going to be able to muster. Dark Ales in pubs on Kings Road will pale compared to the raucous Weissbier in Englischer Garten!
ItsCalled AussieRules
Roar Rookie
Chelsea are amazing on the counter and Lampard is the key - his sublime passing out of midfield set up the victories in the earlier rounds. In the semi they had just 3 shots on target for 3 goals - all on the counter attack. Bayern will attack at home and this will suit Chelsea's counter attack as they park the bus. The key will be Bayern's defense and if they leave the holes for Chelsea to exploit - if they fail to score enough goals themselves.
Qantas supports Australian Football
Guest
If ever Roman Abramovich is going to fulfil his dream this has to be the year Chelsea are going to win the UCL... Good luck Chelsea!!!
Tangles
Guest
hey zach - think u mean tottenham, not liverpool.. really cant see reds making top 5..