Chelsea veterans 2-1 for final glory

FOR some of Chelsea's golden oldies they must have wondered whether there would ever be another chance of winning the Champions League, but now they have one last shot of claiming glory in Europe's premier club competition.

The likes of Didier Drogba, Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard have been heroic as Chelsea have battled through adversity throughout the competition, coming back from 3-1 down to beat Napoli and famously stunning tournament favourites Barcelona with the kind of rearguard action which will once again be required on Saturday night.

Standing in the way of Chelsea and history in the making are four-time winners Bayern. Not only that but the match will also be played in Munich's Allianz Arena and home advantage helps to make the Germans 4-9 to lift the trophy in front of their own supporters with the Premier League side at 2-1.

Bayern hotshot Mario Gomez is the man expected to send the hosts into the party of a lifetime, but the Blues have experienced men in their ranks and are desperate to make up for years of agony and bitter disappointment in this competition.

The Londoners have reached the semi-finals in six of the last nine years and lost out in the agony of a penalty shootout to Manchester United in Moscow with many suggesting the club was cursed in the Champions League. Time looked up for an ageing squad and now they have been thrown another lifeline.

Of course winning the competition is the only way Chelsea can get back into it next season and it is probably the only way interim boss Roberto Di Matteo can make his position permanent. Di Matteo is 11-8 with bet365 to keep the job and Ladbrokes make the Blues 33-1 to win next the 2013 Champions League – a scenario which can only come about if Chelsea are triumphant.