Bayern v Chelsea: Key battles assessed ahead of the Champions League final

The hour is near, and both Chelsea and Bayern will be making the final preparations ahead of their Champions League showdown at the Allianz Arena. With both sides facing big misses through suspension, talkSPORT takes a look at some of the key battles that could decide the outcome of this year's final.

Defensive dilemmas
Norminally a left-winger, Bayern's David Alaba has been converted into a brilliant left-back this year, and the young Austrian will feel particularly aggrieved to be missing out on the Champions League final after a harsh yellow card. Not as aggrieved as his team, though, who now have far fewer options on the left side. Youngster Diego Contento is likely to slot in, but he's nowhere near as potent going forward as Alaba. Contento has barely kicked a ball this year, and his inexperience could yet prove decisive when faced with some of Chelsea's more hardened attackers.
First choice centre back Holgen Badstuber also misses out due to suspension, so it falls to veteran Anatoliy Tymoshchuk to try and shackle Didier Drogba. Tymoshchuk has featured almost exclusively as a holding midfielder in Europe this season, so he'll need to call upon all of his wisdom to keep the Drog quiet.
For Chelsea, defence also poses similar problems. The likely back line of Ashley Cole, David Luiz, Gary Cahill and Bosingwa/Ferreira have had no game time together in the build up to the final, so they'll have to rely on instinct rather than know-how to avoid a major catastrophe. Mario Gomez must be licking his lips, particularly if Luiz has a 'playstation' night.

Focus on the midfield as both sides look to their stars
The middle of the park is where both Chelsea and Bayern stake their claim as worthy finalists. For the Blues, Frank Lampard represents the old and the new, arguably the greatest signing at Stamford Bridge in recent memory, Lampard commands respect both at home and abroad and is always a threat when presented with a set-piece. Juan Mata on the other hand is the one Chelsea player capable of doing the unpredictable. A veteran of big occasions and a World Cup winner, Mata's experience goes beyond his years, and he'll be looking to add the Champions League to his already bulging trophy cabinet.
Franck Ribery missed Bayern's last Champions League final, when Inter defeated the Germans 2-0 in 2010, through suspension, so the France international will be desperate to make an impact this time around. Ribery can dribble with the best when he's in the mood, and his quick feet could give Chelsea problems if he's allowed to hit his stride. Arjen Robben, meanwhile, relies on speed rather than technique to beat his man, so Chelsea will want to avoid allowing him to get into one-on-one situations. Robben is one of the best strikers of the ball in the business, so Chelsea will hope he doesn't have some divine inspiration at the Allianz.

Check out this compilation of some of Ribery's brilliance for Bayern

Let's not forget Mr Bayern himself, Bastian Schweinsteiger. With more bottle than Fergie's wine rack, Schweiny tucked away the decisive penalty that sealed Bayern's place in the final at the expense of Real and given how long he's been at the top of the European scene, it's hard to believe Schweinsteiger hasn't yet won the Champions League, and he'll be determined to make sure he does so in his own back yard.

Veteran brilliance v deadly efficiency: the strikers
Didier Drogba's goal against Barcelona at Stamford Bridge is arguably the most important in Chelsea's campaign and his ability to hold off others under pressure gives the Blues a breather when their back is against the wall, and that's likely to be the case in the final. Drogba is a striker for the big occasion, and it doesn't come any bigger than the Champions League final. Expect him to score.
Mario Gomez has proven throughout this Champions League campaign that he only needs one chance to cause some damage, and as talkSPORT revealed here, there's an argument that Gomez is the Champions League's most effective goalscorer to date. Chelsea will need a miracle to avoid him getting yet another on Saturday night.

Check out this video of Gomez destroying defenders this season

Verdict
Bayern's superior number of match winners, combined with playing on their own turf makes them favourites for the tie. The Blues will hope to replicate their performance against Barcelona to cause an upset, but history shows lightning tends not to strike twice. Chelsea do have Drogba, however, and if there's one man to alleviate the pressure when the going gets tough, it's him.

Will Chelsea do the unthinkable and beat Bayern at their home ground, or will Robben, Ribery and Gomez be too much? Comment below...