Chelsea vs. Bayern Munich: Bans Will Add Excitement to Champions League Final
Josh Martin@@JoshMartinNBA
NBA Lead WriterApril 27, 2012
John Terry. Ramires. Raul Meireles. Branislav Ivanovic.
David Alaba. Luiz Gustavo. Holger Badstuber.
What do all these names have in common?
They'll be watching the 2012 UEFA Champions League final between Chelsea and Bayern Munich from the stands at the Allianz Arena in Munich on May 19th.
Not merely as spectators, but as men who would've and should've partaken in the match, had it not been for bookings accumulated during the European semifinals.
Ramires, Meireles and Ivanovic all picked up consequential yellow cards during Chelsea's return leg against defending Champions League winners Barcelona on Tuesday, and will sit out the final as a result. Terry, the Blues' skipper, was sent off with a red during the same game after putting a knee into the back of Alexis Sanchez.
Alaba, Gustavo and Badstuber all picked up second yellows in Bayern's tie with Real Madrid on Wednesday.
What else do these seven players have in common?
They all play in the midfield or along the backline...meaning that the pitch figures to be wide open when Bayern and Chelsea meet in Munich next month. Ramires is the only one of the seven who might be considered closer to attack than defense, and even he played a crucial role in helping the Blues park the bus in front of Barca's goal at the Nou Camp earlier this week.
Surely, both sides have (somewhat) capable replacements for their banned. Chelsea caretaker manager Roberto Di Matteo figures to lean on Gary Cahill and David Luiz to fill in for Terry and Ivanovic, and may call upon veterans Michael Essien and Florent Malouda and young midfielders John Obi Mikel and Oriol Romeu to pick up where Ramires and Meireles left off.
Bayern boss Jupp Heynckes will have a tougher task making up for his losses. He may flip Philipp Lahm to the other side, put Rafinho or Diego Contento into the starting XI and plug Anatoliy Tymoschuk into Luiz Gustavo's spot.
In any case, the reshuffling on defense should create more space in which all of the attacking talent in the final may let loose for a thrilling affair.
Unless, of course, Chelsea decide to bunker again, leaving Arjen Robben, Franck Ribery, Mario Gomez, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Thomas Muller to mull their way through a crowded box.
In that event, perhaps we should all pull for Bayern to slot home the first goal, regardless of what the final outcome may be.