Playing right back for Chelsea will be the hardest job on the pitch and it is Roberto Di Matteo’s toughest decision whether to go for Jose Bosingwa or Paulo Ferreira to replace Branislav Ivanovic.
Containing Franck Ribery is key for Chelsea. If the full back does a proper job on him, Ribery can drift inside looking for the ball and his attacking threat can get snarled up in midfield traffic. But if he stays wide, is given space and plenty of ball, Ribery can destroy defences.
Wing wizards: Arjen Robben (left) and Franck Ribery will pose a dangerThat is why Di Matteo’s selection decision is crucial. I think he’ll go for Bosingwa because Ferreira lacks a bit of pace and, with two centre halves nursing injuries, Bosingwa could move seamlessy to replace one of themif he has to.
THE CENTRAL ISSUEThe absence of John Terry is a huge miss. Gary Cahill and David Luiz last started a Champions League match together away to Napoli, where Ashley Cole effectively kept them in the competition with a top clearance. If it was not for Cole’s brilliance, Chelsea would have been 4-1 down... and out.
But they can take confidence from the way Chelsea have finished the season. Stop Bayern’s wingers and you stop Bayern. Ribery and Arjen Robben are inside-out wingers (left-footed Robben on the right,right-footed Ribery plays on the left), but it is not just the full backs or Luiz and Cahill who must be on their game.
Pep talk: Gary Cahill will feature for Chelsea after returning from injuryRamires not playing puts extra pressure on the two wide players Di Matteo selects to track back and double up. Salomon Kalou has the energy todo that, so I would not be surprised to see him starting. Chelsea cannot afford to let Bayern’s two wingers go one-on-one.
KROOS CONTROLToni Kroos was probably the best player on the pitch against Real Madrid,so it’s a blessing for Chelsea that he is being forced into a deeper position. Kroos is like a silent assassin; you hardly notice him becauseeverything he does is so tidy and quick. Luiz Gustavo’s suspension means Kroos will have to play in the middle alongside Bastian Schweinsteiger, with Thomas Muller playing off striker Mario Gomez. Bayern will miss Kroos’ clever link play in advanced areas.
I would play Juan Mata in a central position, it is where his guile is most effective for Chelsea. Di Matteo may go for Michael Essien but hehas seen little first-team action and seems to have lost some of his pace and power.
Midfield maestro: Toni Kroos may be hindered by his deeper positionDIDIER MUST DELIVERDidier Drogba is unplayable — my Sportsmail colleague Martin Samuel summed it up perfectly. Didier will be licking his lips playing against Bayern’s two central defenders.
They are stand-in centre halves, because of injury and suspension. Anatoliy Tymoshchuk is a defensive midfielder and Jerome Boateng played at full back at Manchester City. Didier must let them feel his power and not waste energy diving. His contribution is vital for Chelsea.
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