Chelsea confirm Di Matteo as permanent manager

UEFA Champions League holders Chelsea FC have confirmed the appointment of interim first-team coach Roberto Di Matteo as their permanent manager.

Chelsea have appointed Roberto Di Matteo on a two-year deal

UEFA Champions League holders Chelsea FC have announced Roberto Di Matteo as their new permanent manager on a two-year contract.

The former Italy midfielder took over from André Villas-Boas on a temporary basis in March and made an almost immediate impact by guiding the club to their seventh FA Cup triumph with victory against Liverpool FC at Wembley Stadium less than two months later. The best was still to come, though, as Di Matteo masterminded the west London side's first UEFA Champions League trophy, thanks to a penalty shoot-out triumph over FC Bayern München in Munich.

"I'm obviously delighted to have been appointed as manager and first-team coach," said the 42-year-old, who lost just three games during his 11 weeks in charge last term. "We all achieved incredible success last season that made history for this great club. Our aim is to continue building on that and I'm already planning and looking forward to the squad's return for pre-season."

Chelsea chief executive Ron Gourlay is in no doubt that they have the right man to improve on the club's disappointing sixth-placed finish last season. "Roberto's quality was clear for all to see when he galvanised the squad last season and helped the club make history, and the owner and board are very pleased he will be continuing his good work," he said.

"We all believed he was a young coach with much to offer when we first asked him to take charge of team affairs in March and the manner in which he worked with us, the players and all the staff, and the success that followed, made him the clear choice when it came to selecting the person to take us forward in the seasons to come."

This news brought to you by "Sports Zone" from www.uefa.com

Chelsea complete signing of coveted Hazard

Chelsea FC will defend their UEFA Champions League title with the help of Eden Hazard after completing a deal believed to be in the region of nearly €40m for the Belgium attacker.

Eden Hazard played for Belgium against England at Wembley on Saturday

Chelsea FC have completed a deal to sign Eden Hazard from LOSC Lille Métropole for a reported fee of nearly €40m.

Chelsea agreed the transfer with Lille last week and Hazard has now passed a medical and signed personal terms. The Belgian international forward will join the club in July when the players return for pre-season training. "I'm delighted to finally arrive here, it's a wonderful club and I can't wait to get started," he told the west London club's website.

Hazard, 21, had been with Lille since 2005 and helped them to a league and cup double in 2010/11. He was named Ligue 1 player of the year, claiming the award again last season. Hazard becomes the second player to firm up a move to Stamford Bridge this summer following April's announcement that SV Werder Bremen's Marko Marin will join the Blues before the start of 2012/12.

Chelsea won their maiden UEFA Champions League title under the temporary charge of Roberto Di Matteo earlier this month but are yet to appoint a permanent successor to André Villas-Boas.

This news brought to by "Sports Zone" from www.uefa.com

Euro 2012: Fernando Torres ready to make impact says Pepe Reina

Fernando Torres is in his best shape "for a while" going into Euro 2012, according to Pepe Reina.

Torres has endured mixed fortunes since scoring Spain's goal that beat Germany in the Euro 2008 final.

The Chelsea striker, 28, struggled for form after leaving Liverpool in January 2011, but played a role in his club's Champions League triumph.

"It's been a while since I've seen him like this," said Reina, Torres's international team-mate.

Torres could become a key figure as Spain attempt to defend their crown without David Villa.

Barcelona's Villa has been ruled out of the tournament with a broken leg , and Liverpool keeper Reina, who played with Torres at Anfield, believes the forward is primed to make a big impact at the tournament for the world champions.

Physically, he is in good shape," he added.

"Mentally he feels he is an important player in the national team, all the more so since Villa pulled out, and he relishes that role.

"He feels comfortable and he looks switched on.

"Hopefully, he will have a good European Championship and Spain will feed off his goals."

This news bring to by "Sports Zone" from www.bbc.co.uk

I can't believe it; a dream broke down in seconds

Ivica Olić and Jérôme Boateng acknowledged FC Bayern München had paid the price for failing to make the most of their opportunities as the UEFA Champions League slipped away. 

 

 

Ivica Olić and Jérôme Boateng agreed the UEFA Champions League had slipped from FC Bayern München's grasp as the German side succumbed to a penalty shoot-out defeat by Chelsea FC.

The Munich club looked on course for a fifth title when Thomas Müller finally broke the English club's resistance seven minutes from the end, but Didier Drogba's equaliser forced extra time. Bayern soon had the chance to regain the lead when Franck Ribéry won a spot kick but Arjen Robben was denied by Petr Čech, and the final moved inexorably to a penalty shoot-out. Even there Bayern gained the upper hand when Manuel Neuer saved Chelsea's first effort from Juan Mata, but Čech kept out Olić and then Bastian Schweinsteiger, leaving Drogba to seal their fate.

"Of course it's a terrible feeling, but on balance we controlled it," Olić said after his last game for the club before his summer move to VfL Wolfsburg. "We had chances and should have won before penalties; but that's football. A penalty shoot-out is always about luck. Tonight we didn't have our full concentration and Chelsea won it in the end. It doesn't matter if they deserved it or not. They did it, and I have to congratulate them."

Bayern are no strangers to final disappointments having gone down to FC Internazionale Milano in the 2010 showpiece in Madrid, although this proved considerably harder to bear. "Then we lost but we were not the better team," Olić added. "Tonight we had many more chances, a lot more control of the game and we were playing at home. That hurts more than two years ago."

Much was made of Chelsea's spirit in recovering from going behind late on, and Olić acknowledged the new champions' remarkable desire. "They fought hard, at 1-0 down they threw everything up front and got a goal from a corner – a pity really," he explained. "We only had two minutes left and Chelsea hadn't had any opportunities until then – then a corner and a goal. We were very unlucky today, but we have to congratulate Chelsea."

Bayern were moments away from becoming the first team to lift the UEFA Champions League in their own ground, and Boateng admitted having that snatched away was a bitter pill to swallow. "We are all very disappointed, down in the dumps. What can I say? We lost, but were clearly the better team. I just can't believe it. A dream broke down within seconds. We always had the advantage, we were leading 1-0, had a penalty and were leading in the penalty shoot-out. But that's how football can be."

 

Record-breaking Messi takes top scorer honour

FC Barcelona were not in Munich to defend their European title, but Lionel Messi won the top scorer honour for a record fourth successive season with an unsurpassed 14 goals. 

 

FC Barcelona failed to become the first team to successfully defend the UEFA Champions League but Lionel Messi could take some consolation in finishing as the competition's top scorer for an unprecedented fourth successive campaign, his 14 goals also matching the record for the highest tally in a European Cup season.

FC Bayern München's Mario Gomez was still in the running going into Saturday's final against Cheslea FC, but was unable to add to his 12-goal total. Cristiano Ronaldo finishes third on ten goals, with his Real Madrid CF team-mate Karim Benzema three strikes further back and Chelsea FC hero Didier Drogba on six – yet it was Messi's season once again.

Lionel Messi was in prolific form in the UEFA Champions League yet again this season

The Barcelona forward managed 12 goals in 2010/11, matching the UEFA Champions League record set by Ruud van Nistelrooy with Manchester United FC in 2002/03, but went two better this term. Messi's total was bolstered by five goals in the round of 16 second leg against Bayer 04 Leverkusen, the first player to manage the feat in a single UEFA Champions League match.

In 2010/11 Messi had become the third man after Gerd Müller (1972/73, 1973/74, 1974/75) and Jean-Pierre Papin (1989/90, 1990/91, 1991/92) to top the scoring charts in three consecutive European Cup campaigns. While the Argentinian is the first player to finish as the leading marksman in four successive seasons, he also matches the achievement of Müller, whose five goals in 1976/77 made him the joint-leading scorer that season for the fourth time.

Furthermore Messi equalled the mark of AC Milan's José Altafini, who now jointly holds the record for the highest number of goals scored in a European Cup campaign, 14 in 1962/63.

2011/12 UEFA Champions League top scorers
14 Lionel Messi (FC Barcelona)
12 Mario Gomez (FC Bayern München)
10 Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid CF)
7 Karim Benzema, (Real Madrid CF)
6 Didier Drogba (Chelsea FC)
5 José Callejón (Real Madrid CF), Roberto Soldado (Valencia CF), Bafétimbi Gomis (Olympique Lyonnais), Alexander Frei (FC Basel 1893), Seydou Doumbia (PFC CSKA Moskva), Roman Shirokov (FC Zenit St Petersburg), Edinson Cavani (SSC Napoli), Zlatan Ibrahimović (AC Milan)

UEFA Champions League top scorers by season
1993/94 – Ronald Koeman, FC Barcelona; Wynton Rufer, SV Werder Bremen (8)
1994/95 – George Weah, Paris Saint-Germain FC (7)
1995/96 – Jari Litmanen, AFC Ajax (9)
1996/97 – Milinko Pantić, Club Atlético de Madrid (5)
1997/98 – Alessandro Del Piero, Juventus (10)
1998/99 – Andriy Shevchenko, FC Dynamo Kyiv; Dwight Yorke, Manchester United FC (8)
1999/00 – Mário Jardel, FC Porto; Rivaldo, FC Barcelona; Raúl González, Real Madrid CF (10)
2000/01 – Raúl González, Real Madrid CF (7)
2001/02 – Ruud van Nistelrooy, Manchester United FC (10)
2002/03 – Ruud van Nistelrooy, Manchester United FC (12)
2003/04 – Fernando Morientes, AS Monaco FC (9)
2004/05 – Ruud van Nistelrooy, Manchester United FC (8)
2005/06 – Andriy Shevchenko, AC Milan (9)
2006/07 – Kaká, AC Milan (10)
2007/08 – Cristiano Ronaldo, Manchester United FC (8)
2008/09 – Lionel Messi, FC Barcelona (9)
2009/10 – Lionel Messi, FC Barcelona (8)
2010/11 – Lionel Messi, FC Barcelona (12)
2011/12 – Lionel Messi, FC Barcelona (14)

 

Chelsea etch new name on trophy

A new name is on the UEFA Champions League trophy after Chelsea FC's win against FC Bayern München made them the first maiden winners since Borussia Dortmund in 1997. 

 

 

Chelsea celebrate at full time in Munich

There is a brand-new name on the UEFA Champions League trophy after Chelsea FC's victory against FC Bayern München made them the first maiden winners since Borussia Dortmund's triumph 15 years ago.

Chelsea are the tenth club to have won the trophy once and the 22nd overall in the pantheon of European Cup winners. In beating Bayern the Londoners became the first new winners of the trophy since the 1990s when, coincidentally, Munich provided the stage for the triumphs of Olympique de Marseille (1993) and Dortmund (1997) – albeit at the Olympiastadion, Bayern's former home.

The 1980s were a particularly fruitful decade for teams to claim their sole European Cup success with Aston Villa FC (1982), Hamburger SV (1983), FC Steaua Bucureşti (1986) and PSV Eindhoven (1988) all triumphant. FK Crvena zvezda followed suit in 1991.

Celtic FC got their hands on the trophy back in 1967 and reached the final again three years later, but lost out to Feyenoord who therefore secured their only success.

 

Chelsea desire the difference for Di Matteo

Roberto Di Matteo believed "heart and passion" earned Chelsea FC a first UEFA Champions League title as Jupp Heynckes rued FC Bayern München's inability to make their chances count.

Jupp Heynckes, Bayern coach
My team played an outstanding match against opponents who played the way we expected and the way they'd played for the last few Champions League matches. We must blame ourselves for having so many opportunities without profiting. When you score in the 83rd minute you need to keep that lead; then we had a penalty in extra time. Penalties are a lottery, we know that from history.

Chelsea were the lucky team today; they played the way they know best and I'd like to congratulate them on their performance. They put on a real fight, defensively they were very well organised and in the shoot-out they had the luck to win the Champions League. It's a very bitter defeat. We can't blame Chelsea for playing their game; when you have so many opportunities you have to take advantage of them. We didn't do that today and that's why we lost.

These players had a huge fantasy about winning the Champions League here in Munich and then you have such a renowned, experienced player [Bastian Schweinsteiger] missing a penalty – that's something you have to cope with. Bastian was instrumental in getting us to the final and he'll take some time to get over it, but that's football and you have to learn to cope with that.

I said it would be something else to play in your own stadium, where you know everything and feel at home. The team played like we were at home, look at the statistics – we were better in every respect. The players delivered an outstanding performance and were not rewarded. But it wasn't an injustice – we should have scored more goals and kept a clean sheet after we scored, then we would have won the cup. Instead all we can do is congratulate Chelsea.

Roberto Di Matteo, Chelsea interim manager
Football, and life, is sometimes unpredictable and crazy. I don't think anyone could have predicted this. We've had a difficult season and to finish off like this is incredible. I'm very happy for the players, they've worked so hard for this for so long.

Obviously when Bayern scored there wasn't much time for us but the heart and passion these players have shown in this competition has been immense. To equalise and get into extra time was a good feeling. Our preparation was very difficult with the suspended players and two defenders out for three or four weeks so it wasn't an ideal situation for a Champions League final but the desire and motivation of the players has shown again tonight.

[Didier Drogba] has been a fantastic servant for this club over eight years and brought a lot of success but we focus on the group and it was a great effort from all the players tonight. Ashley Cole was immense, also Frank Lampard and Petr Čech – to be able to pull off this victory took a big team effort.

I don't know what the future holds but we are very happy to have made history for the club. It's the first time we've won this competition and it's been very difficult. The club was very close four years ago and I think the players thought they would reach the final again. It's a difficult competition to win and you have to take your chances when they come along.

Penalties are always a bit of a lottery. Bayern played very well tonight, they're a very good team – that's why they were in the final and why they’ve won this competition so many times. I know how Bayern must feel because losing on penalties is always very harsh.

This makes a huge difference for the future of our club. We always said it was crucial to be involved in the Champions League. Winning tonight qualifies us for next season's competition so it's a double whammy in a positive sense.

I'm going on holidays after this because I need one desperately – it's been a challenging three months. I've been happy with the role I've been given and whatever the future holds, I'll accept. It's not important.

Whatever the club decides we respect; it's as simple as that. I've just tried to work with the players tactically, mentally and physically and prepare them to the best of my knowledge. It's brought us results and that's what matters most. Players, staff and supporters, we're all very happy tonight – it's a historic night for our football club.

Chelsea success leaves Drogba speechless

Having converted the decisive penalty as Chelsea FC finally claimed the UEFA Champions League, man of the match Didier Drogba said words could not describe his emotions.

Having finally got his hands on the UEFA Champions League trophy, Chelsea FC striker Didier Drogba struggled to find the words to express his emotion after a match-winning display in Munich.

Sent off in Chelsea's final defeat four years ago, the Ivorian looked destined for more misery when Thomas Müller nodded FC Bayern München into an 83rd-minute lead, only to reply with a bullet header of his own five minutes later. Fortune turned again for Drogba at the start of extra time when he felled Franck Ribéry inside the Chelsea penalty area, but Petr Čech came to his rescue by saving Arjen Robben's penalty.

Man of the match Didier Drogba celebrates with the UEFA Champions League trophy

When the Chelsea goalkeeper denied Ivica Olić and Bastian Schweinsteiger in the ensuing shoot-out, it gave Drogba the chance to take the trophy to Stamford Bridge for the first time. The 34-year-old made no mistake and, as he collected his man of the match award from UEFA's technical study group, he struggled to gather his thoughts. "I'm really happy and I don't know if there are enough words to describe how I feel now. Today I'm smiling; in Moscow it was very difficult, very painful for the players, club and fans; today we managed to change it."

"Again, it was an amazing, crazy game – conceding a goal minutes from the end, equalising. We gave everything. I don't know if we have enough energy to party tonight but we're going to find it."
Drogba missed a penalty in the Ivory Coast's defeat by Zambia in February's Africa Cup of Nations final, and admitted that was on his mind as he made the long walk from the Fußball Arena München's centre circle. "I was confident but I still had in my head the African Nations Cup, when I could have won the game for my team so it was very difficult. Petr Čech is the best goalkeeper in the world and made some great saves – I wanted to do it for him and everyone else. I wanted to make everyone smile and I did."

The striker is out of contract this summer, raising the possibility that the winning kick could be his last for Chelsea, although he was keen to keep the focus on the club's achievement rather than his personal situation. "I've been here for eight years and always so close but so far at the same time. Today we have it – the cup is coming back to Stamford Bridge and it's the best feeling ever. What a way to do it; now we can enjoy [it], have fun and party.

"The most important thing is not my future; the most important thing is what we achieved today, the way the players fought to win the cup and the way the fans supported us even when we conceded. The way we've played in this season's Champions League, the way we turned things round and the way we played against Napoli and Barcelona – we deserved to win. We're great champions."

Behind the scenes: Champions League final

UEFA.com has been on-site throughout the build-up to the 142nd and final game of the 2011/12 UEFA Champions League, bringing you exclusive photography right up until the kick-off.

Media preparations continue for the UEFA Champions League final

Final memorabilia on sale ahead of the Munich showpiece

Television companies set up for post-match interviews

Film crews set up their equipment in the press conference room

Photographers get to work in their designated room at the stadium

A camera is set up in the net to get a close up view of the action

One of the dugouts in the Fußball Arena München ahead of the final

A view of the UEFA Champions village at the Fußball Arena München

Members of the world's media are welcomed to the Fußball Arena München

A panoramic view of the Fußball Arena München on Friday

The crests of the clubs in lights at the Fußball Arena München

Cameramen setting up at the Fußball Arena München ahead of the final

The media tribune at the stadium will be full to capacity on Saturday

Final branding is set up around the Fußball Arena München

The media area at the Fußball Arena München is constructed

A view inside the Fußball Arena München as preparations continue for the final

Pitch preparations take place at the stadium

The Fußball Arena München is lit up to herald the UEFA Champions League final

Outside the Fußball Arena München two days before the final

The final event design decorates the approach to the stadium

A glowing entrance within the stadium containing both clubs' badges

A glittering entrance to one area of the stadium for the final

The threshold of the 'Trophy Lounge' at the Fußball Arena München

UEFA Champions Festival fun in the sun

Beaming sunshine and a Thursday bank holiday made for the perfect conditions for fans to visit the Olympiapark for the second day of the UEFA Champions Festival.

Beaming sunshine and a Thursday bank holiday made for the perfect conditions for fans to visit the Olympiapark for the second day of the UEFA Champions Festival

The combination of beaming sunshine and a Thursday bank holiday provided fans with the ideal opportunity to make it down to the Olympiapark for the second day of the UEFA Champions Festival.
With Olympique Lyonnais and 1. FFC Frankfurt competing in the UEFA Women's Champions League final in the evening, many fans made the most of their last chance to have their photo taken with the trophy before it was transported across to the stadium, where Lyon captain Sonia Bompastor later hoisted it into the Munich sky.
The wide-ranging programme of activities was the perfect way to ramp up enthusiasm ahead of the final, according to Christian Mock, whose daughter Verena showed off her skills on the adidas Brand Experience. "It's great for kids and families to have something to do before the game," he said. "That's why we came here, because we knew this was on and that the kids would enjoy it.
"Normally you just go to a match, maybe have a beer beforehand and then watch the game, but this kind of thing really gets the kids excited. We've had a go at almost everything. We watched the games down on the mini-pitch by the lake too, sitting down on the grass in the sun. It was all very relaxed."
Many fans arrived early to hear former Germany and Frankfurt star Steffi Jones' views on the showpiece. As an official ambassador for the UEFA Women's Champions League final, it was fitting that Jones should take part in UEFA's first-ever Google+ hangout, which offered fans from around the world the opportunity to pose questions live via webcam.
Former Chelsea and Nigeria left-back Celestine Babayaro also took part in a Google+ hangout in the afternoon before joining FC Bayern München legend Giovane Elber in passing on his advice to young players at one of popular skills clinics.
"I've always said I’d never become a coach," said Elber "It's not for me, but this is great fun, training the young lads and girls. They're really enjoying themselves. The weather has been brilliant today too, especially after it was so cold yesterday. I think Celestine and myself will do a good job. It's all good fun."
The crowds continued to grow as kick-off drew nearer, with fans of both clubs trying their hand at the numerous activities before streaming into the Olympiastadion for the most prestigious club match in women’s European football.

Heynckes puts Bayern odds at 50-50

Jupp Heynckes believes FC Bayern München have a "little advantage" as UEFA Champions League final hosts but is equally aware of the threat of a "dangerous" Chelsea FC side.
 

Jupp Heynckes led Real Madrid to UEFA Champions League glory in 1998

In terms of coaching experience, there is hardly any comparison – when Jupp Heynckes began his first spell in charge of FC Bayern München, Chelsea FC manager Roberto Di Matteo had yet to even make his professional debut as a player.
Heynckes has achieved so much since then, most notably steering Real Madrid CF to their first European Cup in 32 years in 1998, but, despite the clear disparity in coaching pedigree, the 67-year-old has been impressed with Chelsea since Di Matteo took over in March. And, as Bayern prepare to tackle their English rivals at the Fußball Arena München on Saturday, the veteran knows not to take anything for granted on the tactical front.
"You can see that Chelsea can play different systems," said Heynckes, aiming to become only the fourth coach to win the trophy with different clubs. "They played completely differently against Benfica [in the quarter-finals] than they did against Barcelona [in the last four]. I expect Chelsea to be a bit different than against Barcelona. The team has been going through a really good period in the last weeks, and they're playing better, more successful football."
The former West Germany striker, who took the Bayern reins for the third time last summer, also has plenty of respect for the men at Di Matteo's command. "They have a lot of experienced players in their team and it's clear that the veterans, the players who've been playing at Chelsea for many years, want to win something big. And that's very dangerous for us. The match will be open and the chances are 50-50, but it might be a little advantage to play here at home."
As well as an advantage, Heynckes knows that contesting the showpiece on home soil represents an opportunity to write a new chapter in the history of the club he led to consecutive Bundesliga titles in 1988/89 and 1989/90. After all, no side has triumphed on their own turf in the UEFA Champions League era. "It's something special to play the final in your own stadium," he said. "It's something extraordinary, something that's never happened [since 1965], something historic. So, of course, it would be massive to win the final."
It would likewise provide a chance to relax after a long season that has brought highs and lows – and little time to savour the highs. "It's a bit difficult to enjoy it," he explained. "After the team wins a match or plays well, that takes a certain burden off me and I can enjoy it. Then I reflect on how we played. I analyse the matches with the team and I can only say that we've played excellent football this season, especially in the Champions League. But in the last few weeks there has been a lot of travelling, preparation and debriefs, match analysis, matches, etc. All of that takes a huge effort."
One issue now taxing the former VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach stalwart is how to cope with the absence of suspended trio Holger Badstuber, David Alaba, and Luiz Gustavo in Saturday's decider. Chelsea will have one ineligible player more given that Branislav Ivanović, Raul Meireles, Ramires and John Terry are all missing, but Heynckes does not feel that will lend his team any sort of edge.
"I can't say that because I think Chelsea's players have the same weight as ours," he commented. "I would love to have them with us because they deserved it. Throughout the season, they have been key players in my team and that's why it’s a real pity."

UEFA Champions League final countdown

Another thrilling UEFA Champions League season is set to culminate in fitting fashion on Saturday, when FC Bayern München take on Chelsea FC in the final at their very own Fußball Arena München. UEFA.com's team of reporters in Munich and across Europe provide you all the latest news, views and interviews as we count down to kick-off in the biggest fixture in the European club calendar.
All times CET.

Friday 12.21, Laurent Morel, UEFA futsal manager, Olympiapark
The futsal day at the UEFA Champions Festival is a great occasion, filled with activities. We have key clinics with the kids, we have open play for the public and an exhibition match with two German futsal clubs. Then we have the skills clinics with Ricardinho, where kids will try to imitate what the Brazilian does with a futsal ball, and other top players like Cafu, Steve McMananman, Christian Karembeu and Patrik Andersson are present.
This is brilliant for futsal, as we're right at the very top of European football today. For the whole futsal community it is great to be considered as the 'little brother' of football and to be here at the festival in Munich.

Friday 12.07, Andrew Haslam, Fußball Arena München
Bayern are the first team to play a European Cup final in their home stadium since 1984, and they will hope for a better outcome than AS Roma, beaten on penalties by Liverpool FC in the Stadio Olimpico 28 years ago. The German club would doubtless prefer to look further back, to FC Internazionale Milano's 1965 triumph at their San Siro home or Real Madrid CF's defeat of ACF Fiorentina at the Santiago Bernabéu eight years earlier.

Bayern would become only the third team to win the UEFA Champions League in their own country after Juventus (1996, final in Rome) and Borussia Dortmund (1997, final in Munich) while Manchester United FC lost last year's final to FC Barcelona in London. In European Cup terms, United (1968, London), AFC Ajax (1972, Rotterdam), Liverpool (1978, London) have won finals in their own country while Stade de Reims (1956, Paris) and Barcelona (1986, Seville) lost finals on home soil.

Friday 11.51, UEFA.com London newsdesk
Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard has pinpointed the catalyst in the Blues' excellent finish to a season that has already featured an FA Cup final win against Liverpool FC. "We were struggling in Naples," conceded Lampard, in an interview with The Telegraph. "I was sitting watching and I could see that. We were very despondent in the dressing-room afterwards. We knew we were better than that. We all had to improve."
"It took a big effort from everybody in the weeks between the Napoli games to turn things around," he added. "The home game was obviously the major turning point in our season."
With defender John Terry suspended for tomorrow's showpiece, Lampard will lead the team out as captain in Munich. "It will be my proudest moment," he said. "The season has turned around personally but not quite to the full extent yet. We need to win the final."

Friday 11.33, UEFA.com London newsdesk
Chelsea players might have a tight schedule ahead of the final but Juan Mata still found time earlier to share his thoughts on Twitter. The Spanish international tweeted:
@juanmata10: Arriving at the airport, on our way to Munich...with our dream closer! #CFC @chelseafc #ChampionsFinal

Friday 11.22, Andrew Haslam, Fußball Arena MünchenThere is a little over one and a half hours to go until the first of the day's two press conferences, with Bayern due to address the media at 13.00, and there are plenty of members of the press here collecting their accreditations for today and tomorrow night. In fact, owing to the high numbers, the photographers' booth actually opened its shutters 30 minutes early this morning to ease some of the congestion.

Friday 11.05, Kevin Ashby, UEFA Champions Festival
The festival enters its third day today and is again likely to attract huge numbers of fans to the expansive site at the Olympiapark. Josh Hershman (@UEFAcomJoshH) and Andy James (@UEFAcomAndyJ) are on hand to post updates on the various events taking place, including quotes from any footballing figures present.
On that note, former Bayern stars Willy Sagnol and Giovane Elber have answered users' tweets in the last couple of days with Steffi Jones and Celestine Babayaro the first participants in UEFA.com Google+ hangouts.
Today's social media activity sees two more European champions, former Real Madrid CF midfielders Steve McManaman and Christian Karembeu, answer your questions via Twitter and ex-Chelsea FC defender Graeme Le Saux step into the hangout hotseat.
Send questions via Twitter using #AskMcManaman and #AskKarembeu, and join our Google+ page to be in with a chance of putting your questions live to Le Saux.

Friday 10.55, Kevin Ashby, UEFA Champions FestivalLast night's UEFA Women's Champions League final attracted a record crowd in excess of 50,000 as Olympique Lyonnais defeated 1. FFC Frankfurt 2-0 to retain their title.
The Olympiastadion was hosting its first football match since Bayern departed seven years ago and the name of Camille Abily can now be added to the list of players including Gerd Müller, Trevor Francis, Marco van Basten, Basile Boli and Lars Ricken to have scored famous final goals at the iconic stadium.
For the first time since the FIFA Women's World Cup, women's football features on the front page of French sportspaper L'Equipe this morning. Under a huge picture of the team celebrating, the headline reads: 'They are magic'.

Friday 10.45, UEFA.com London newsdesk
Andrew Haslam (@UEFAcomAndrewH) and Graham Hunter (@UEFAcomGrahamH) will provide you with live updates throughout the day – paying particular attention to Bayern's press conference at 13.00 and Chelsea's address to the media at 17.45 – from the Fußball Arena München, which will have a 62,500 capacity for tomorrow's game.
Here are a few other morsels of information to get you going this morning:

• The match will be produced in full High Definition with 38 match cameras including a spidercam and one up in a helicopter. In addition there will be a 12-camera 3D production;
• 75 TV rights-holding broadcasters will be on site along with 1500 TV production and technical staff;
• There are 119 television and radio commentary positions, 600 seats with desks for the written media and 200 photographers;
• The worldwide TV audience is expected to top 300 million.

Friday 10.45, UEFA.com London newsdesk
Before the day's business gets under way, a gentle reminder that there are a number of ways to win great prizes with UEFA.com, including Predictor, Player Rater, and Classics. For now, though, UEFA.com's match background and final press kit provide all the facts, records and history you need.

Babayaro hangs out with UEFA

Celestine Babayaro

Former Chelsea FC defender Celestine Babayaro took time out of his schedule at the UEFA Champions Festival to take users' questions in UEFA.com's second Google+ hangout.

Celestine Babayaro is the youngest player to have appeared in the UEFA Champions League. He was 16 years and 87 days old when he started for RSC Anderlecht against FC Steaua Bucureşti on 23 November 1994 before going on to make 132 appearances for Chelsea FC in more than seven years at Stamford Bridge. The former Nigerian international's experience made him an excellent candidate to take users' questions in our second Google+ hangout at the UEFA Champions Festival in Munich.

UEFA.com: Have you looked around the festival and what do you think of Munich?
Celestine Babayaro: I've just come in now and it's an amazing scene, great build-up for the final on Saturday. Munich is beautiful. I could see the sights from the hotel room and it's exciting.

Ariel Vasili: Do Chelsea have the quality in defence to stop the likes of Franck Ribéry and Arjen Robben?
Babayaro: They have the quality to anyone, they are in the final and that says it all. Against Barcelona in the semi-final no one gave them a chance but they got through. They are in the final on Saturday and I think they are going keep it tight.

Alexi: What are the key battles for Chelsea on Saturday night?
Babayaro: Bayern are a great team so Chelsea need to stick together from the start and play as a team, especially in defence. Bayern are going to play their normal system and I think Chelsea are going to stick to their style which is to build from defence and try to create chances.

Simon Knights: How impressed have you been with Roberto Di Matteo since he took over?
Babayaro: Very impressed. The team have been rejuvenated and they’re playing some amazing football and winning games. Whatever happens on Saturday hopefully he will be the permanent manager.

Chukwuemeka Afigbo: Do you have any plans to get involved with Nigerian football?
Babayaro: I would like to be involved in Nigerian football. I'm available and I've not been asked yet but I would like to if I am asked.

Henry Eccles: You had great celebrations when you were a player but now that you've finished the game what special tricks do you have?
Babayaro: Thanks for that! The only thing I'm worried about now is stopping myself from doing backflips.

Taylor Williams: Which upcoming Nigerian talent should football fans be most excited about?
Babayaro: Victor Moses. He's very quick, his movement is incredible and he's going to be a great player.

Chelsea's Luiz looking forward to dream final

David Luiz

After missing the UEFA Champions League semi-finals, Chelsea FC's David Luiz is relishing the prospect of facing FC Bayern München. "This final is my dream," he told.

David Luiz may hail from Sao Paulo but such is the global appeal of the UEFA Champions League that the Brazilian does not hesitate to underline the meaning of appearing in Saturday's final with FC Bayern München. "This final is my dream," the Chelsea FC defender told.
It has been a curious first full season in England for Luiz, a €25m arrival from SL Benfica in January 2011. Though the South American would most certainly have been hoping for his side to produce a higher Premier League finish than sixth place this term – a product of the disappointing run of form that cost coach André Villas-Boas his job – Chelsea have hit a purple patch since, winning the FA Cup and reaching the final of Europe's premier club competition.
Luiz, however, missed out on the Wembley win against Liverpool FC through injury, as he did both legs of Chelsea's memorable semi-final victory against FC Barcelona. The 25-year-old is therefore relishing the opportunity to play in Saturday's showpiece at the Fußball Arena München. "This final is my dream," the Brazilian international said. "A few years ago I dreamt of playing in this final, and now I have the opportunity. I think every player wants this opportunity, and if I have it I need to enjoy this moment."
Few would have given the Londoners much chance of overcoming SSC Napoli, who they trailed 3-1 after the round of 16 first leg, yet they overcame the odds to win the return leg 4-1 before edging out Luiz's former club Benfica. What followed was a herculean feat: lowering the colours of holders Barcelona in the semi-finals despite being reduced to ten men and finding themselves 2-0 down in the second leg at the Camp Nou.
Indeed in an extraordinary UEFA Champions League campaign Chelsea have responded to every challenge, suggesting that Roberto Di Matteo's charges are at their best with their backs against the wall. On Saturday they will once more be cast in the role of underdogs in a final being played on Bayern's home ground, but Luiz refutes any notion that this makes for a stress-free scenario.
"When you play against big teams, you are always under pressure," said Luiz, who has featured in ten UEFA Champions League matches this term. "You have pressure in the first game of the season, and in the Champions League final. Bayern are a big team. People keep talking about them playing at home ‒ that it takes the pressure off Chelsea a little bit ‒ but the players here know how important it is to win this final.
"After all the difficulties in the middle of the season Chelsea have won one cup and now have the chance to win another trophy in the best league in the world. The players here kept believing in what we were doing, and now they have reaped the results. We have won a lot of fantastic games against Napoli, Benfica, Valencia [to qualify from the group stage]. Chelsea deserve to be in this final."

Grate Match Chelsea (1 - 0) Barcelona on 18 April of CL 2012

Chelsea produced the kind of "perfect'' performance Roberto Di Matteo had demanded to inflict Barcelona's first Champions League defeat of the season and give themselves real hope of reaching the final.

Didier Drogba celebrates after netting the winning goal on half-time

• Palmer: Chelsea find the blueprint
• Drogba: Chelsea have learnt lessons
• Di Matteo: We've answered critics
• Chelsea v Barcelona gallery
The Blues once again proved the nemesis of the team feted by many as the greatest to play the game thanks to an amazing smash-and-grab Didier display in the semi-final first leg at a jubilant Stamford Bridge.
Interim boss Di Matteo's plan paid off spectacularly, Didier Drogba scoring the winner to go some way to burying the demons of the sides' last meeting three years ago.
As well as being magnificent to a man in carrying out the instructions of Di Matteo, Chelsea also enjoyed the kind of luck that deserted them in 2009 and which they have had in spades since the Italian took charge.
They may need plenty more at Camp Nou on Tuesday to reach their second final after Barca missed a glut of chances after dominating possession from start to finish.

Lionel Messi leaps to head the ball on goal but can't find the net.

The pattern of the match was set the moment the visitors kicked off, Chelsea allowing them possession and Raul Meireles leading the pressure behind Drogba.
From a defensive point of view, it largely worked, although the visitors should have taken one of the chances to have fallen their way.
Luck played a part in the first of them in the ninth minute, Alexis Sanchez chipping against the crossbar from Andres Iniesta's perfectly-timed pass.
The other two both fell to Cesc Fabregas courtesy of Lionel Messi, who was otherwise restricted to a quiet half.
The first was a sitter, Fabregas failing to connect properly with his finish after Messi's burst and pass had set up Andres Iniesta for a shot Petr Cech parried.
Messi finally had the chance to build up a real head of steam two minutes before half-time, Fabregas this time producing a delightful dink which was only kept out by Ashley Cole's clearance off the line.
Otherwise Chelsea had plenty to give them hope from what little ball they had.
The benefit of going long was quickly demonstrated when only a heavy touch prevented Drogba capitalising on Cech's clearance.
Drogba, who got away with overstepping the mark when he trod on Sergio Busquets' foot, also failed to make the most of a one-on-one with Carles Puyol.
Long throws predictably unsettled Barca, too, and Gary Cahill almost took advantage of the first of them.
Chelsea did tread a fine line discipline-wise, with Meireles lucky not to pick up a booking that would see him suspended for the second leg.
"Same old Barca, always cheating,'' chanted the home fans whenever a Barca player went down.
They were in good spirits despite the deluge, which may have played a part in Drogba scoring with the final kick of the first half.
Barca were caught upfield and Frank Lampard's ball over the top sent Ramires rampaging forward, the Brazilian's cross picking out Drogba.
Victor Valdes should have saved the scuffed finish but could only help it into the net.
Barca were even more dominant after the restart, Cech parrying Adriano's curler before Sanchez missed another gilt-edge chance when he stabbed Fabregas' scooped pass wide from six yards.
Otherwise they were being kept at bay by a world-class defensive display led by Cahill and John Terry, who were almost single-handedly keeping Messi quiet.
Pep Guardiola sent on Pedro for Sanchez with 24 minutes remaining, with Barca becoming increasingly frustrated, not least with perceived play-acting from Drogba, who got an earful from Puyol.
There was finally a booking when Ramires tripped Messi in full flight, Pedro quickly following for a similar offence on Cole.
Busquets was also cautioned for scything down Ramires after Juan Mata was withdrawn for Salomon Kalou.
Fabregas left the field to a chorus of boos for Thiago Alcantara as Chelsea began to drop deeper and deeper, as they had done three years earlier.
Barca laid siege to the Blues goal and Cech produced a magnificent save three minutes' from time when Puyol glanced Messi's free-kick towards the corner.
And, in stoppage-time, the visitors saved their worst finish until last, Busquets skying high over the crossbar after Pedro's effort had hit the post.