Bayern Munich v Chelsea: Champions League final Match Preview

19 May 2012 17:15
Chelsea will travel to The Allianz Arena on Saturday hoping to upset the odds and defeat Bayern Munich on their home soil.

Both sides will be without a host of suspended players for the Champions League final showdown.

Bayern Munich will be without suspended trio Holger Badstuber, David Alaba and Luiz Gustavo.

Defender Breno (knee) is out and Daniel Van Buyten is short of match fitness, so natoliy Tymoshchuk and Diego Contento are likely to replace Badstuber and Alaba.

Thomas Muller should get a recall while Toni Kroos moves into a deeper role alongside Bastian Schweinsteiger.

Bayern Munich stats

Roberto Di Matteo remains focused on the job in hand and is not thinking about his long-term future at the club.

"I'd be absolutely delighted to win the Champions League trophy for this club and I'd be very happy for the players," he said.

"We've worked so hard to reach this goal and have tried many many times to win it. I don't think about myself.

"It's a big game for the club and our players. It's a massive game. But we have to go into it with the knowledge that we have the quality and experience to win it and that's all."

David Luiz and Gary Cahill are expected to be available for selection for Chelsea after appearing to win their fitness battles following hamstring injuries.

The news is a huge boost to the Blues who will be without regular defenders John Terry and Branislav Ivanovic who are serving suspensions following the win over Barcelona in the semi-final.

Ramires and Raul Meireles also picked up two bookings during the two legs against Barca and will miss the final.

Florent Malouda is a doubt (hamstring) and Didier Drogba is likely to start ahead of Fernando Torres.

Chelsea stats

Bayern Munich form: L W W L W

Chelsea form: W L W L W

Team news and possible starting line ups

Champions League final betting odds

How suspensions will affect Chelsea and Bayern

Live commentary from the Allianz Arena

Source: DSG