Champions League: The First all English Final

April 30, 2008 by CLDsport

The Luzhniki stadium in Moscow on the 21st May will be the venue for the first all English Champions League final in history following Manchester United’s passage to Moscow completed with a fantastic 1-0 win over Barcelona last night. Whether it’s Chelsea or Liverpool that travel to the Russian capital will be decided tonight. But, whatever the outcome the 21st May promises to be a great occasion.

An all English final is a great advertisement for the Premier League and will help attract the top players. It’s just a shame that our exclusion from the European Championships this summer does the opposite.

So, Chelsea v Liverpool tonight. 1945 at Stamford Bridge. The game is on a knife edge following John Arne Riise’s 94th minute own goal in the first leg. Liverpool have to score to stand any chance of going through to the final - and I bet Riise will do everything in his power to do so. If Chelsea go through Riise will surely blame himself - and the fans may well do so too - although he really shouldn’t. His own goal was a defender’s nightmare. A cross that that was near impossible to defend.

Latest team news suggests that Lampard could play after missing the weekend visit of Man Utd following the tragic death of his mother.

John Arne Riise may replace the injured Brazilian Fabio Aurelio who has been ruled out with a groin problem. Fernando Torres looks set to start after being rested at the weekend.

Squads:

Chelsea (from): Cech, Hilario, Belletti, Ferreira, Carvalho, Alex, Ben-Haim, Terry, A Cole, Bridge, J Cole, Ballack, Essien, Lampard, Wright-Phillips, Malouda, Kalou, Anelka, Drogba, Shevchenko, Mikel, Makelele.

Liverpool (from): Reina, Carragher, Arbeloa, Hyypia, Skrtel, Riise, Finnan, Babel, Benayoun, Gerrard, Lucas, Alonso, Mascherano, Pennant, Crouch, Kuyt, Torres, Voronin, Itandje.

For more build up to the match go to: Watch Chelsea v Liverpool Live

Share and Enjoy: