It’s the F*cking Champions League Final
That phrase began creeping into my mind following the conclusion of Chelsea’s domestic league season on Saturday and is slowly becoming a full blown chant. For those unsure of my futbol allegiance, I am a diehard blue, through and through. I find that in preparation for this game I am more nervous than any past fixture, and that includes the 2007-08 final. This game is the culmination of arguably the most controversial and emotional season for a Chelsea fan of late. It was a season of tumult and joy as the rocky relationship between AVB and the Chelsea faithful was thankfully ended mid-season with the replacement of Chelsea legend Roberto Di Matteo who has only strengthened his lore at the Bridge by leading the Blues to the FA Cup victory and possibly the greatest resurrection since Jesus with a chance at the Champions League victory.
This game would not be complete though without the rollercoaster of emotions that has plagued each Chelsea fan throughout the season. There is the sheer joy of watching your team compete for the most prestigious club prize in football while also reveling in the glory that was arguably the greatest fixture in Chelsea’s history, that of the semifinal matches against Barcelona. There is the feeling of confidence that if this team can beat Barca and overcome the troubles of the AVB tenure, then anything from them is possible. The confidence stems from the supposed “Old Guard” of Chelsea that AVB tried to do away with, the likes of Lampard and Drogba, who have righted the ship with their gutsy and emotional performances as of late. The confidence and admiration also flow towards Di Matteo who has done a tremendous job in righting the ship and arguably one of the greatest coaching jobs known to soccer knowledge in his handling of the Barca fixtures.
That is not to say that one does not feel nervous or even petrified at times. There are many reasons for fear of failure. The game is practically a home game for Bayern Munich, being played in their home stadium, The Allianz Arena. Chelsea will be missing some very key players due to suspension such as Ramires, the box to box midfielder who has come up with so many key plays and goals in the run up to the final, John Terry, the emotional and physical leader of the Blues, Branislav Ivanovic, a rock of the back line, and Raul Meireles, a suprising standout in a midfield collection that was a question mark dating back to the beginning of the season. The question marks for Chelsea begin with the back line where a patchwork duo will have to man central defense against Mario Gomez, the superb on form striker for Bayern. Best case scenario is a pair of hobbling hamstrings man the center in the form of Gary Cahill and David Luiz, who has not played in over a month. Worst case scenario sees Jose Bosignwa and John Obi Mikel forced to play there in an impending disaster that only the French before WWI and WWII can relate to. The makeshift lineup will be key to the fixture for the Blues, but no matter who they throw out there, they will play with heart because the trademark of this Champions League run has been an incomparable exhibition of heart, desire, and passion.
COME ON YOU BLUES!!!
