On the back of a successful season that saw them achieve their highest ever Premier League finish, West Brom have reduced ticket prices in a bid to help the local community afford to watch live football matches and to encourage families and young fans to attend more games.

West Bromwich Albion have reduced all adult season tickets by £50 and knocked up to £70 off the cost of seats for youngsters. This is especially impressive considering that other clubs with outstanding seasons have all looked to increase ticket prices across the board. Man City, Reading, Swansea, Fulham and Norwich are all clubs that have hiked prices to either match demand or to bring ticket prices in line with ‘Premier League pricing’.

And unlike a few other Premier League clubs, Albion has little local pressure to drop prices. WBA’s 23,622 home allocation was 96% fully subscribed last season, and with the season ticket price cuts and the club on a stable footing in the league, WBA is likely to attract more fans now, especially from a younger generation.

In fact the club is mindful of the fact that they have a responsibility to help people in an area that has been particularly hard hit economically, and to also capitalise on their Premier League status by reaching out to local fans and making up for lost time when, in their words, a generation of supporters was lost.

Mike Jenkins, the Albion chief executive:

“I think our season-ticket prices for this season were already very competitive given our location and the size of the stadium, particularly when you look at our rivals, but we felt that we could still do more in the current climate.

There’s no doubt that youth unemployment is a very big issue at present. I’m a parent and I know full well that for teenagers and those in their early twenties even finding part-time employment is tough, never mind a full-time job. As a result we’ve really tried to focus on them and to focus on juniors too. In many ways that is the single biggest motivation behind our pricing strategy – to secure the next generation of fans.

Having talked with the consultation group, to season-ticket holders and supporters, it’s clear we lost a large number of a whole generation of fans between 1986 and 2002, primarily because we were out of the top division and struggling in that period but also because there were very harsh economic times in this area. If you look at the make-up of our crowd, there is definitely a weighting towards people from around 40 and older, and that reflects that period in time when we failed to attract as many new fans as we should have.”

West Brom Ticket Prices for 2012/2013

Albion have taken the unprecedented step of cutting season tickets by big margins, with the exception of the over-60s category where prices are frozen. All adult season tickets are down by £50, the Under-18 discount has been extended to Under-21s, where prices are reduced by up to £70, and the Under-16 discount has been extended to Under-17s, where prices are reduced by up to £30. Mark Jenkins, Albion’s chief executive, said: “We are hopeful this will lead to more young fans and families attending our home matches.”

Figures in full: Season-ticket prices reduced 11.3% for adults, frozen for over 60s, reduced 17.6% for U21s/U18s, reduced 14.98% for U17s/U16s renewing before 1 June (adults £349-£449, Over 60s £269-£329, U21s £199-£299, U17s £99-£139). Matchday prices: tbc.

Source: Guardian.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

David Villa has been ruled out of Spain’s Euro 2012 campaign, leaving Spain without their all-time record goalscorer. The onus will now fall on the likes of Llorente and of course Torres to step up to the plate and help Spain defend their European Championship crown.

The Barcelona forward has failed to prove his fitness to the head coach, Vicente del Bosque, after fracturing his tibia while in action for the Catalan side at the World Club Challenge in Japan in December.

Del Bosque had promised to give the 30-year-old until the last moment to get himself ready but, with his squad set to be named on Sunday, he has called time on Villa’s race to be fit.

A statement on the Spanish Football Federation’s official website on Tuesday night read:

“David Villa cannot definitely be on the list for Euro 2012.

“Villa spoke with the national team doctor this afternoon after the arrival of the team in the Austrian town of Schruns.

“After not getting in the final practice and development desired, David Villa spoke with Del Bosque, who relayed that although it was Villa’s wish to be with the team in Poland and Ukraine, that his physical state was ‘not as good’ as would be desirable.”

Spain will announce their Euro 2012 squad on Sunday.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

Roy Keane was a team-mate and captain to Gary Neville for many years at Manchester United – at the same time that Ferguson brought Keane to Old Trafford, the young crop of players that included Gary Neville were making their mark in the youth team.

So when Keane was asked to comment on Neville’s appointment to the England backroom staff, you would expect an informed opinion. And Roy Keane, being Keane, duly delivered. In fact, he may even have paid his successor as United captain a compliment (see if you can spot it).

Roy Keane on Neville’s influence behind the scenes:

“It’s important you are yourself. Listen, Gary can talk but don’t think for one minute he was as influential in the dressing room as people might think he was. Gary would say his piece but he wasn’t running the show. Far from it.

So don’t think for one minute he will be going into England and calling the shots. He will be learning his trade and being a link between the manager and the players, and I think he will be good at that.”

On Neville continuing with his media commitments as Sky’s lead pundit for Champions League and Premier League matches, or his column in the Mail on Sunday:

“I’m surprised he has kept his role with doing TV. That can be difficult. You can get your way around criticising players by saying: ‘I’d expect the player to do better.’ He probably won’t be as critical as me and speak in the terms I do. I know Gareth [Southgate] does it, but he’s not in the dressing room, he’s not on the training pitch, he’s not working with the players.”

On Neville’s potential impact on England’s fortunes:

“There’s a lot of thumbs-up, everyone says it is a good appointment, but I’d say let’s wait and see. We’ve got to give him a chance. He’s not done any coaching before. I know he has done his coaching qualifications but sitting in a studio talking about teams is very different.

What he has got is he’ll be working under Roy Hodgson. It is not as if he will be calling the shots. He can learn his trade. I’m pretty sure if they have a decent tournament, or a decent couple of years, Roy Hodgson and his staff will get praise. If they don’t, the manager will get criticism and people will start criticising Gary. Gary’s a decent guy and he’s played at a decent level, but that doesn’t guarantee you success.”

On Neville entering management:

“You have to look at these opportunities when they come. You can’t be too clever when you are outside of football and not involved in a team, and if an opportunity comes up.

He is going to be working with top players and a top manager so there is no surprise Gary jumped straight into it. There is only one way to find out if you can do it or not – let’s get into it. It’s no good just talking about it. It’s not a week-to-week job. He will still have a bit of time off and will be learning from a top manager.”

It may not sound like it, but this is high praise from Roy Keane. I imagine his kids must be very jealous.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

Chelsea winning the Champions League will see the other English Champions League qualifiers lose a few million pounds each from UEFA’s pot of TV money going to the Premier League.

While this is a small part of the overall Champions League revenue split (explained in detail here for 2010/2011), it represents a loss nevertheless.

As part of the financial benefits of participating in the Champions League, each league’s clubs get a a share of UEFA’s TV money profits depending on their UEFA coefficient rankings. The Premier League were due £30m from the market pool pot, which would have been split according to the teams’ league standings.

Normally, as domestic champions Manchester City would get 40% of Uefa’s “market pool” pot of TV money totalling around £12m, the second-placed Manchester United 30% (£9m), the third-placed Arsenal 20% (£6m) and the fourth-placed club 10% (£3m).

Instead, with Chelsea winning the Champions League and qualifying as winners, they are now ‘tied’ with City in terms of TV revenue share. As such, City and Chelsea will each receive 30% (£9m), United 25% (£7.5m) and Arsenal 15% (£4.5m.). Uefa have said the figures would be confirmed by its executive meeting in July.

To put these numbers into perspective – each team gets a basic fee – £3.5m in 2010/2011 – for qualifying for the group stages each season, and the profits from qualifying for the knockout rounds and progressing further in the Champions League can mean a £20m difference.

The actual reduction in earnings will be loose change for the three Premier League clubs. Far more importantly, Chelsea’s bumper Champions League earnings will paper over the loss of earnings from finishing 6th in the league and continued Champions League participation will mean that they have another £20m-£25m to expect as a minimum next season.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

Despite leading Chelsea to Champions League glory on Saturday it appears Didier Drogba has played his last game for the club.

France Football magazine has reported that the Ivory Coast star has confirmed he is leaving Stamford Bridge.

The striker has been quoted saying he informed his team-mates of his decision during the club’s open-top bus parade on Monday after leading them to the greatest moment in their history on Saturday night.

“We will no longer be together next season,” the 34-year-old said in quotes attributed to the magazine.

Drogba, who has reportedly already agreed a deal to join Shanghai Shenhua when his Chelsea contract expires this summer, is said to have admitted he struggled to get the words out and burst into tears.

He went on to say: “As I decided to leave, I wanted to tell them straight in the eye. Except that I could not do it. They made me crack.”

“Even though it’s been three years since I said I wanted to leave, I find it hard to admit that it’s over with this club – especially as I did not feel like this.”

“But I could not see myself sitting on the bench to watch others play when the club plans to set up a new team.”

“So that’s it – I am preparing for my leap into the unknown. It’s going to be another adventure.”

Man-of-the-match in Saturday’s historic Champions League final win over Bayern Munich, Drogba has repeatedly avoided questions about his future.

The 34-year-old has been linked with a lucrative move to Chinese club Shanghai Shenhuan, where his former Chelsea team-mate Nicolas Anelka is player coach.

If he does leave it would mean his very last kick for Chelsea would be the penalty that gave his side victory against Bayern.

For their part, Chelsea have refused to offer the two-year contract Drogba was looking for 

This news coincides with Fernando Torres announcing he’s also considering leaving the London club.

The Spanish International will hold talks with the club about his future after criticising the way he has been treated.

Torres admitted it was one of the biggest disappointments of his career to start on the bench in the Champions League final win over Bayern Munich.

Torres told Spanish journalist Guillem Balague:  ”I have been through the worst moments of my career during the season.

“I felt they have treated me in a way I was not expecting.”

The striker, signed from Liverpool for £50m in January 2011, has hit six league goals this season as part of a total of 11 in all competitions.

“It was a huge disappointment when I saw the line-up, perhaps the biggest disappointment in my life. I thought I would play in this game and I couldn’t imagine not doing so.”

Discussing his future, he added: “We’ve had a lot of talks and we’ll talk about my future at the end of the season because the role I’ve had this season is not for me, nor is it the one I expected to play when I came here.

There’s now huge uncertainty regarding the future of Chelsea’s two frontmen. If they were to leave, Daniel Sturridge would become the only established striker left at the club. Surely this means Abramovich intends to invest in a couple of attacking players this summer. Following Chelsea’s European success, the funds will definitely be available to do this.

Despite this, the next big question is: Where next for Drogba? Will he move to Asia for his own economic benefit? Or stay in Europe to challenge Chelsea in next year’s Champions League? There’s no doubt wherever he ends up, he will be playing first team football as a key member of the squad.

Follow me on twitter for football updates and opinions: https://twitter.com/#!/Chrisslinnell

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

Germany has the most decorated national team in the history of the UEFA European Championship.

With three titles and three runners-up medals, Die Mannschaf is once again expected to be a force to be reckoned with.

However, they have not won a trophy since the European Championships in 1996 but many in the country believe Euro 2012 represents their best chance of doing so.

There is a strong-held belief that Joachim Low’s team have closed the gap on reigning champions Spain and that the time may be ripe to end the dominance of La Furia Roja

They will start the tournament in Group B where three heavily anticipated matchups with some of the world strongest teams await them.

Labeled the “Group of Death,” the German’s find themselves in the same collective battle for advancement alongside 2010 World Cup runners-up Holland, 2004 European Championship runners-up Portugal and 1992 European Champions Denmark.

However, despite all of these believed hurdles, Germany have the potential to record a fourth European title.

Qualifying Group Stage Goals Scored

Although any team can win on any given day, in the long run numbers do not lie.

Germany had the best differential out of their three opponents. With 34 goals scored and only seven allowed their 27 differential certainly proves both their offensive and defensive power in one number.

The nation’s 34 goals scored were only outpaced by fellow Group B nation the Netherlands, with 37 goals scored.

Only seven goals were allowed against the team, and the only other Group B nation with a better total was Denmark, who only allowed in six but scored just 15 for themselves.

Portugal was middle-of-the-road in both categories, with 14 goals against and 27 for.

The Germans have the best overall statistical total going into the summer competition.

Seasoned Core

Germany has one of the most veteran cores of players in the prime of their careers in the game.

Mario Gomez, Lukas Podolski, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Per Mertesacker, Manuel Neuer and national team captain Phillip Lahm are all between the age of 26 and 28 while combining for 425 appearances between the six of them.

These players were the youngsters at Euro 2008, but now another four years and a World Cup of experience later they all have the right amount of youth still left along with their time served to make them very important to the success of the nation this summer.

Youngsters Have Something to Prove

Not only do the German’s have a solid core of prime aged professionals, the nation also boasts some of the best up and coming talent between the ages of 19 and 23.

Borussia Dortmund’s Mario Götze, at only 19, is likely to be one of those that step into the spotlight and shine for their nation at the Euros.

Other young players that will look to begin a long tenure with the national team are Bayern Munich 22 year olds Toni Kroos and Thomas Müller.

Mesut Ozil at 23 is still looking to make an even bigger impact. The former Werder Bremen youngster starred at the last World Cup before linking up with Real Madrid after the tournament. Under Jose Mourinho Ozil has developed his game further and is now considered one of the best playmakers in the world. Ozil can dribble, play deft defense-splitting passes and scores his fair share of goals.

Mats Hummels and Holger Badstuber are the next generation of central defenders for their nation and are set to be a major part of this summer’s back line.

Rounding out the possible youth display are several others in their early 20s, such as Borussia Monchengladbach’s Marco Reus, Schalke 04 defender Benedikt Höwedes,VfL Wolfsburg’s Christian Träsch, and Lars and Sven Bender of Bayer Leverkusenand Borussia Dortmund, respectively.

Podolski and Schweinsteiger in Their Prime

Lukas Podolski and Bastian Schweinsteiger will be hugely important to their nation once again.

There is no hiding their ability or their importance to the national side, as the two already have 95 (Podolski) and 90 (Schweinsteiger) appearances at the ages of 27 and 26.

As they enter the prime years of their career they have still years of service left at the top of their game and the German national team will see much more from the two of them.

The two have combined for 66 goals—43 for Podolski and 23 by Schweinsteiger.

Schweinsteiger also has 30 assists to add to his goals, while Podolski has nine.

This has been the best season of Podolski’s career from the club stand point which he will hopefully carry over into the summer.

Although he has had a recent injury, Schweinsteiger should be back to full fitness well within time to be at the top level for his nation.

Experienced Head Coach

Low has proved that he is not afraid to make ruthless decisions. In 2010 he told Torsten Frings that he would not be going to the World Cup despite being a fixture in the team at the previous World Cup, while last year he phased out Michael Ballack.

Low guided Germany to the final of Euro 2008 and the semi-finals of the last World Cup where they were beaten by Spain. He has lost just five competitive matches in charge of the national team.

Fan Support is Close at Hand

UEFA European Championship co-hosting nation Poland is one of Germany’s next door neighbours.

Once again, Germany are in the same situation with an ease of fan travel just as with the 2008 Euros in Austria and Switzerland.

If you think the fan support in Austria and Switzerland was strong four years ago, you can be sure it will be just as great or better this summer with Germany’s hopes higher than ever.

With three of the hardest games in the opening round—against Portugal, the Netherlands and Denmark—the German national team will need all the support they can get.

Klose Wants the Record

Only five goals separate legendary Gerd Muller and modern day German national team sensation Miroslav Klose.

With 63 goals from 114 appearances Klose has taken more game to reach his total, but that time served only looks to prove his worth over time.

This summer’s European Championship is likely his last major tournament in which to achieve such greatness before the youth take his place up front.

History Likes to Repeat Itself

In Germany’s proud European championship history, they have already lifted Europe’s crown jewel of national trophies three times in 1972, 1980 and 1996.

What those results don’t tell you is that every time they have finished second place in the competition, the nation has come back and won the following tournament.

Their runner-up performances in 1968, 1976 and 1992 all saw the Germans come back more resilient and determined than before to make sure they were not humiliated once more.

In 2008, Germany were beaten 0-1 by Spain, thanks to a Fernando Torres goal. This time around the Germans will be out to make sure history repeats itself in their favour.

On top of it all the majority of the team is still together since the 2008 Euro’s, only now they are vastly more experienced after their third place finish in the 2010 World Cup.

Conclusion

Germany are set for a major fight to get through the Group stages.

They are in the ‘Group of Death’ and the presence of Holland, Portugal and Denmark means that Low’s side will have to hit the ground running in June. But they are arguably the strongest of these sides and one of the top two positions should be theirs.

A possible semi-final against Spain beckons if Germany can negotiate their way past one of Poland, Greece, Russia or the Czech Republic. There is a feeling amongst many that Spain, perhaps no longer as hungry, have plateaued while Germany are on the way up and this is the perfect opportunity for Low’s side to prove it.

Follow me on twitter for football updates and opinions: https://twitter.com/#!/Chrisslinnell.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

The new Barcelona home and away shirts for the 2012/2013 season have a fusion-theme, giving Barcelona players (and Barcelona-supporters) a distinctly unique Nike football jersey to wear.

The home shirt sees three vertical bands of blue and maroon blended in to give a slightly electric feel to the traditional Barcelona colours, with blue dominating on the shirt and red trim adorning the collar and sleeves (also seen with yellow trim). The shorts are blue.

The away kit is a horizontal fusion of orange and yellow, and is probably the first Barcelona away shirt that manages to properly use the colour orange in their shirts. The away kit gently fuses into completely yellow shorts, giving a very nice spectrum effect from top to bottom.

All in all a refreshing design by Nike, and you will soon be able to pre-order / buy your new Barcelona shirts at the Soccerlens Store.

Barcelona Home and Away Kits for 2012/201 (by Nike)3

Image 1 of 12

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

There are always plenty of ‘if’s, but’s and maybe’s’ when It comes to England at a major tournament; Euro 2012, though, will take that to a whole new level.

It says a lot about the upheaval surrounding the Three Lions that star man Wayne Rooney’s suspension for the first two matches of the competition is almost seen as the least of their worries. Since that ban by UEFA in December, England had also lost their captain and manager.

The disruptions to their preparations for this summer’s tournament, combined with a poor showing at the 2010 World Cup, have left even the usually impatient English tabloid press almost willing to write of Euro 2012 as a learning experience for the younger players.

However the recent appointment of Roy Hodgson as head coach, despite Tottenham’s Harry Redknapp being the out-right favourite, has seen the same approach as usual taken towards the competition, at least in terms of team selection.

The selected 23 players travelling to Ukraine contain many of the squad that featured at the last World Cup. With the tournament set to be the last international hurrah for the likes of Ashley Cole, John Terry and the newly-appointed captain, Steven Gerrard, can Englands ‘golden generation’ go out with a bang?

With Rooney missing until the Ukraine match; the forward line has required a huge overhaul. The attack is likely to be led by Manchester United youngster Danny Welbeck and Liverpool striker Andy Carroll. With just 7 caps between, it’s clear to see England lack a recognised international goal scorer in the absence of Rooney. I was slightly disappointed to see Crouch missing from the list of 23 players last Wednesday – his goal scoring record for his country speaks for itself (22 goals in 42 games.)

With a technically gifted player like Wilshere unavailable through injury, England are unlikely to compete with the likes of Spain when it comes to the short passing game. But what they do possess is a wealth of athletic and technically gifted wide players in Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Ashleu Young. Getting the ball forward quickly may be England’s best chance of creating openings, and until Rooney returns they’ll need to do that as often as possible.

However, the three lions do have a squad full of players with Champions League experience. Even the Nation’s promising young talen t – the likes of Welbeck and Phil Jones – have already featured in Europe’s elite club competition.

There is also greater balance in midfield, with England finally having found a replacement for the Injury prone Owen Hargreaves, albeit most likely only a short term one, In Scott Parker. The Spurs enforcer, 31, having one only 3 senior caps before his 30^th birthday. But the composure, intelligence and maturity in his performances have seen him quickly become one of the first names on the England’s starting eleven. It’s just a shame that the injured Jack Wilshere cannot play alongside him.

Parker even captained England during Stuart Pearce’s short time in charge, leading the team to a 2-2 draw versus Holland. Personally, he would have been my choice as captain.

While in previous tournaments England have had a settled back four, there is now a degree of uncertainty regarding the starting players. With little time to bed in a unit, selection headaches at the back could prove particularly unwelcome.

It’s unlikely that Terry and Ashley Cole would miss out on a place in the first eleven, especially given their vast experience at international and European level. I think Ashley Cole will be very important for England if they wish to stand a chance against the best teams in the tournament. This season, for Chelsea he has proven his quality once again. Particularly in the Champions League fixtures, as he’s come up against the World’s best players including Lionel Messi and Frank Ribery.

The remaining defensive positions will keep us guessing until England’s warm up games. Having seen Ferdinand dropped and Kyle Walker side-lined, expect to see the likes of Lescott, Cahill and Glen Johnson making an appearance.

In goal, Joe Hart looks likely to make the position his own for the next decade. The Manchester City stopper is a steadier presence than some of the goalkeepers England have used in the past, such as David James and Robert Green. This is Hart’s first major finals as first-choice keeper, so it will be the biggest test of his character yet.

For me, Andy Carroll could prove to be England’s ‘secret weapon’ and the biggest surprise of the tournament if he’s given playing time and the chance to shine. I have a good feeling that with his growing confidence after a strong finish to the season, he could create huge problems for the opposition, particularly Ukraine and Sweden in the group stages. Against Chelsea, in the FA cup final, he showed just how much of a threat he can is, after coming off the bench and scoring Liverpool’s only goal. His areal ability provides the potential to completely change the momentum of a match. Hopefully Hodgson will realise this and will give the ex-Newcastle striker a good run-out.

England have benefited from finally learning that 4-4-2 isn’t the only option. Their warm up matches against Belgium and Norway will give an indication as to whether they will stick with the 4-2-3-1 system that served, the since-departed, Fabio Capello so well in their undefeated qualifying campaign.

There’s no denying Hodgson’s ability as a manager when in charge of a team failing to meet expectations. England certainly fit this category. Despite having a flurry of top European footballers during the past decade, the team have always struggled to perform. At both Fulham and West Brom, Hodgson achieved great success with a lack of real quality at his disposal, most namely, reaching the Europa League final with Fulham.

Above all else, for England to succeed in Poland and Ukraine they’ll need to be well drilled tactically and defensively sound. Hodgson may not have been the fans first choice manager, but with his incredible experience, anything is possible for his team.

Personally, I believe this competition will make or break England for the next decade or so. If the players meet expectations, support from the English fans and press will improve, giving the players confidence going into future competitions. At this stage, England will be very optimistic, a new manager and a few fresh young players could be exactly what the nation needs to be successful in Poland and Ukraine. Considering the number of quality teams in this year’s European finals, I think England can probably consider reaching the Quarter-finals a success, but don’t get me wrong, I would love to see them go further.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

Chelsea found redemption for the misery of Moscow and ended their long quest to win the Champions League by beating Bayern Munich on penalties in the Allianz Arena.

Di Matteo delivered a surprise in his starting line-up, with youngster Ryan Bertrand handed a role on the left flank in front of Cole in an attempt to stifle the threat of former Chelsea winger Arjen Robben.

On a night of gripping tension in Germany, the final went to a shoot-out after Didier Drogba’s late equaliser sent the game into extra-time then penalties, following Thomas Muller’s headed goal.

Petr Cech rescued Chelsea when he saved Arjen Robben’s penalty early in the extra period – then the great talisman Drogba took centre stage again as the drama of spot-kicks was played out at the end where Bayern’s fans watched in anguish.

Juan Mata missed Chelsea’s first penalty but David Luiz, Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole were all successful. Philipp Lahm, Mario Gomez and goalkeeper Manuel Neuer were all on target for Bayern.

The momentum shifted decisively when Cech denied Ivica Olic and Bastian Schweinsteiger hit the post to leave Chelsea on the brink and present Drogba with his moment of destiny.

He was calmness personified as he rolled the ball past Neuer to spark scenes of elation among Chelsea’s players, staff and supporters. The tournament that had given them their greatest agony had now delivered their greatest glory.

This was a victory in the mould of Chelsea’s semi-final win against Barcelona, built on resilience, discipline, defensive organisation and nerve at the crucial times and done without the suspended Terry, Branislav Ivanovic, Ramires and Raul Meireles.

Chelsea’s blanket of defensive defiance served them well in the Nou Camp – and acted as a dress rehearsal for a first half spent almost entirely in their territory.

And while Chelsea were organised and resolute, they were also grateful that Bayern striker Gomez’s touch in front of goal deserted him at decisive moments.

Suspended captain John Terry joined the celebrations and lifted the trophy alongside Lampard but it was Drogba who was the hero, running the length of the pitch swirling his shirt above his head in triumph, with owner Roman Abramovich looking on as Chelsea finally claimed the prize he has craved for season upon season.

For Chelsea, there is just one remaining question – will Roberto di Matteo be offered the Chelsea job on a full-time basis? In less than 6 months, the Italian has transformed the London club’s season, giving the Russian owner the Champions League after so many painful failures.

It’s also hard to see how Drogba, now 34 but still able to produce the brilliance that defines big occasions, can be allowed to walk away as his contract reaches its conclusion.

Abramovich will leave the big decisions for another day, but this was a night he and his club have desired since he walked into Stamford Bridge – and ironically achieved with an interim manager he had to appoint after sacking his personal choice, Andre Villas-Boas.

This thrilling night is a historical moment for the London club. Chelsea have now won the biggest prize in European Club football, for the first time in their history. The Champions League will now head to Stamford Bridge.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

The 2011/2012 Champions League Final, to be played between Chelsea and Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena in Munich on Saturday, 19th May 2012, is going to be a classic.

Both finalists were unfancied going into their respective semi-finals and they overcame unlikely odds to beat Real Madrid and Barcelona. While Bayern came through their two-legged showdown against Madrid with credit and praise for their ability to counter Madrid’s attacking verve and strength, Chelsea’s progress against Barcelona was very much a back to the walls job, and it’s this fantastic performance that has pundits pin the one-off final as more of an equal clash than it would seem on paper.

Indeed, the word out of Bayern is that they’re worried about Chelsea’s remarkable ability to win out of nothing, and while Drogba is playing for Chelsea, anything is possible.

Here’s our in-depth look at the 2012 Champions League final:

THE FINALISTS

THE ROAD TO THE FINAL

THE STADIUM

Home to FC Bayern München and TSV 1860 München, the Fußball Arena München will host the 2012 UEFA Champions League final following a decision made by the UEFA Executive Committee in January 2009. The showpiece will take place on Saturday 19 May 2012.

• The Fußball Arena München took less than three years to build from start to finish, and was completed on 30 April 2005. It was conceived following a referendum in October 2001 when 65.8% of Munich’s citizens voted to construct a new arena rather than regenerate the Olympiastadion, venue for the 1972 summer Olympic Games and previous home of Bayern and 1860 München.

• A year to the day after that vote, work commenced on the stadium, including the construction of the unique exterior. The Fußball Arena München’s transparent outer wall is comprised of foil panels which are lit from the inside and can change colour depending on who is playing; red for Bayern, blue for 1860 München and white for Germany.

• The arena opened its doors to competitive football on 5 August 2005 when a full house of 66,000 watched Bayern defeat VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach 3-0. In January 2006, city authorities approved a 3,901 increase in capacity which means the stadium can now house 69,901 supporters. Some of these reside in standing terraces which are created for domestic games by converting 10,400 seats in each of the north and south stands.

• Located on Werner-Heisenberg-Allee – named after famous German atomic physicist and 1932 Nobel Prize for Physics winner Werner Heisenberg – the Fußball Arena München played host to the opening game of the 2006 FIFA World Cup, Germany’s 4-2 victory against Costa Rica. A further five matches in the tournament were played at the arena, including France’s 1-0 semi-final win against Portugal.

• While some 106 VIP boxes, 400 media seats and 11,000 parking spaces cater for those attending the game, the players make do with two warm-up rooms, a nursery and four changing rooms – one each for Bayern, 1860 München and their respective opponents.

• The Olympiastadion hosted three European Champion Clubs’ Cup finals. Trevor Francis’s strike earned Nottingham Forest FC victory against Malmö FF in 1979 and there was also only one goal in it 24 years later when Olympique de Marseille beat AC Milan to claim the inaugural UEFA Champions League title. In 1997 two Karl-Heinz Riedle efforts set BV Borussia Dortmund on course for a 3-1 win against Juventus.

(source: uefa.com)

Munich finals have habit for upsets

The Fußball Arena München will stage its first European Champion Clubs’ Cup final when the UEFA Champions League concludes there on 19 May.

However, the Olympiastadion – which will host the UEFA Women’s Champions League decider on 17 May – staged the men’s showpiece three times, not to mention the 1974 FIFA World Cup and 1988 UEFA European Championship deciders. UEFA.com looks back at the three previous times the biggest fixture in European club football visited Munich.

28 May 1997 Bor. Dortmund 3-1 Juventus

The last European Cup final at the Olympiastadion was a triumph for Germany, but not FC Bayern München. Holders Juve started favourites but just as they had taken the title off AFC Ajax the year before, so Dortmund did to the Turin side what Hamburger SV had in the 1983 final. Karl-Heinz Riedle broke the deadlock just before the half-hour and five minutes later headed Dortmund two up. Substitute Alessandro Del Piero reduced arrears with a 64th-minute back-heel but Dortmund then brought on Lars Ricken. With his first touch he brilliantly chipped Angelo Peruzzi from long range to clinch his club’s first European title.

26 May 1993 Oly. de Marseille 1-0 AC Milan

Four years earlier, the first UEFA Champions League final had been at the Olympiastadion – again there was defeat for the Italian favourites. The all-star Milan team including Marco van Basten, Frank Rijkaard and a host of Italian internationals had already lifted the European Cup in 1989 and 1990. They would do so again in 1994, but on this occasion Marseille got the better of them courtesy of Basile Boli’s goal just before half-time. For the country which had invented the European Cup, it was a first triumph.

30 May 1979 Nott. Forest 1-0 Malmö FF

Two of European football’s less glamorous names had their day in the spotlight in the first Munich final. Injury-hit Malmö, the only ever Swedish finalists, presented a tough test for a Forest side aiming to keep the trophy in England following Liverpool FC’s triumphs in 1977 and 1978. Forest manager Brian Clough was able to give a competition debut to Trevor Francis, the first British player to be signed for £1m, and although he was fielded out on the right wing it was he who headed in John Robertson’s cross just before half-time to clinch the title.

(source: uefa.com)

THE TROPHY

In March 1967, UEFA’s Executive Committee decided, at a meeting in Vienna, to allow Real Madrid CF to keep the original trophy, a silver cup offered by L’Equipe, after the Spanish team’s sixth victory. The Executive Committee then made 10,000 Swiss francs – currently about 6,500 euros – available for a new trophy to be made.

It wasn’t a simple replica of the original cup as UEFA’s General Secretary at that time, Hans Bangerter, decided to create a new design and called in a local specialist in Berne, Jürg Stadelmann. The trophy handed to Liverpool in Istanbul was the fourth version of that design.

“My father Hans and I went along to Herr Bangerter’s office and covered the whole floor with the drawings,” recalled Stadelmann. “He made comments like, ‘The Bulgarians would like the bottom of that. The Spaniards would like that, but the Italians would prefer that and the Germans would go for this bit.’ We put the design together like a jigsaw puzzle. It was a design constituted of many parts yet I like it and I think everyone in football likes it as well.

“I remember that it had to be finished before 28 March,” Stadelmann added, “because I was getting married and taking my wife on a ten-day boat trip to Los Angeles. The trophy took 340 hours to make. I did the finer work, then it was finished off by the engraver, Fred Bänninger. On time, I am glad to say.”

The trophy is 62 centimetres tall and weighs 7.5kg. It may not be an artistic masterpiece, but everybody in football is keen to get their hands on it.

Nowadays, UEFA regulations allow the Cup to become the property of any club which wins the competition five times or three times in a row. That means that, after fifty years, only Real Madrid CF, AFC Ajax, FC Bayern München, AC Milan and Liverpool FC have earned the right to keep an original in their trophy rooms.

Fittingly, as the European Champion Clubs’ Cup reached the 50th anniversary of the first final in Paris in 2006, the second half-century of the competition kicked-off with a brand-new piece of silverware – produced by the same Bertoni workshop in Milan but, unlike its predecessors, with the names of all 50 winning clubs engraved on it.

A total of 45 different pairs of hands have lifted the Champion Clubs’ Cup since the Real Madrid CF skipper, Miguel Muñoz, first laid his hands on Europe’s most coveted prize in 1956. The roll of honour is an awesome list of some of the continent’s all-time greats, many of whom have gone on to make their mark in coaching after hanging up their boots. What’s more, fans who are superstitious about numbers might note that Bobby Charlton was captain No.9 to lift the trophy; Gianni Rivera was No. 10; and Johan Cruyff – just for a change – was No.14! Curiously, the FC Bayern München honorary president, Franz Beckenbauer, is the only captain to have received the cup three times and no one has lifted it in two consecutive seasons since Franco Baresi and his AC Milan team-mates were crowned kings of Europe in 1989 and 1990

(source: uefa.com)

THE BALL

The official match ball for the 2012 UEFA Champions League final – the adidas Finale Munich – has been officially presented at the venue for this season’s showpiece match, the Fußball Arena München.

As the 12th adidas supplied match ball for a UEFA Champions League final, the adidas Finale Munich will be the first “final ball” to be used throughout the UEFA Champions League knockout stages and not just for the final itself.

The ball’s graphics are inspired by the shape of the Fußball Arena München and they enhance its iconic starball logo design, while the blue and acqua tones are strongly influenced by the reflection of modern local architectural materials, which also build the UEFA Champions League Final Munich 2012 brand identity.

The adidas Finale Munich makes its debut tonight when the UEFA Champions League resumes with two of the eight round of 16 ties – the first leg matches between Olympique Lyonnais and APOEL FC, and Bayer 04 Leverkusen and FC Barcelona.

The UEFA Champions League final takes place in the Bavarian city on Saturday 19 May.

(source: uefa.com)

THE AMBASSADOR

Having lifted the European Champion Clubs’ Cup for FC Bayern München, scored in Germany’s victorious FIFA World Cup final in Munich and been brought up just 50km away there are few people better placed than Paul Breitner to act as ambassador for the 2012 UEFA Champions League final at the Fußball Arena Munchen on 19 May.

The former Real Madrid CF midfielder saw it all in a glittering 13-year player career, but the return of club football’s biggest game to Munich for a fourth time, and first at the new stadium, is a source of great pride for the 60-year-old. “The Champions League final next year in May is the highlight of the whole season, for the city of Munich and for Bayern,” he told UEFA.com. “”The people of Munich, including me, think we have the most beautiful city in the world”.”

As well as being a tourist attraction, Munich is also a footballing hotbed and the Fußball Arena Munchen, which opened in 2005 and houses almost 70,000 spectators for Bundesliga matches, is home to both TSV 1860 München and Bayern, Germany’s most successful club. And it was with the three-time European champions that Breitner first made his name in some 41 years ago.

“In 1970, it was a time of evolutionary change at Bayern Munich. Uli Hoeness, the current club president, and I arrived at the right time to grow into the team, to learn from Franz Beckenbauer and Gerd Müller. We went through a development phase which led us, after our fourth season, to play in our first European Cup final, winning against Atlético Madrid in a replay after drawing the first match.”

That victory came in May 1974, two years after Breitner had helped West Germany win the UEFA European Championship, and two months before he lifted the World Cup. He would go on to become one of his country’s most successful footballers, winning five Bundesliga titles with Bayern and two Spanish championships with Madrid. In 1982 he became only the third player after Brazilians Vavá and Pelé to score in two World Cup finals (an elite club since joined by Zinédine Zidane).

(source: uefa.com)

THE OFFICIAL PROGRAMME

The Fußball Arena München will host the 2012 UEFA Champions League final and the 116-page official matchday programme is the perfect souvenir.

Packed with insight into the season’s most high-profile fixture, the programme features exclusive interviews with the two coaches as well as profiling the players who will perform on the ultimate stage on Saturday 19 May.

The matchday magazine also follows the two teams on the road to the Bavarian capital, and goes behind the scenes at each finalist club. The programme celebrates the great and good who have held the UEFA Champions League Trophy in triumph, including the heroes of the past Munich finals Trevor Francis, Basile Boli and Lars Ricken, while guiding readers through the culture – footballing and otherwise – of the host city and speaks to final ambassador Paul Breitner, among many features.

You may purchase the programme for £8.25 at the Official Online Store of the UEFA Champions League.

(source: uefa.com)

FACTS & FIGURES – THE FINAL

The following statistics were taken from the UEFA Champions League Statistics Handbook.
 

Finals: 19
Wins: 14
Draws: 5
Goals: 49
Average: 2.58
Extra-time: 5
Penalty shoot-outs: 5
Different results: 9
Most common outcome: 2-1 (4 times)
Both sides scoring: 10
One side scoring: 8
No goals: 1
Total time in minutes: 1860
Minutes per goal: 38
Red cards: 2

RESULTS SUMMARY

BIGGEST WINS

BIGGEST LEAD AT HALF-TIME

HIGHEST MATCH AGGREGATE

FINALS DECIDED BY A PENALTY SHOOT-OUT

MOST GOALS BY A PLAYER

TWO:

SCORING IN TWO DIFFERENT FINALS

RAÚL González (Real Madrid CF) in 2000 [1 goal], 2002 [1 goal]
Samuel ETO’O (FC Barcelona) in 2006 [1 goal], 2009 [1 goal]
Lionel MESSI (FC Barcelona) in 2009 [1 goal], 2011 [1 goal]

CLUBS FROM THE SAME NATION PLAYING IN THE FINAL

SAME CLUBS MEETING IN CHAMPION CLUBS’ CUP/UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINALS

Note: Real Madrid CF and Stade de Reims both played each other in the 1956 and 1959 Champion Clubs’ Cup final whilst AC Milan and SL Benfica met in 1963 and 1990

SUMMARY OF NATIONS PLAYING IN THE FINAL

THE VENUES (15)

Note: The old Wembley Stadium in London hosted five Champion Clubs’ Cup finals: 1963, 1968, 1971, 1978 and 1992 whilst the Heysel Stadion in Brussels staged the same number of games in 1958, 1966, 1974 (final and replay) and 1985.

Vienna’s Ernst-Happel-Stadion was the venue for 4 finals in 1964, 1987, 1990 and 1995

PLAYERS WHO HAVE MISSED FINALS DUE TO SUSPENSION

Alessandro COSTACURTA & Franco BARESI (AC Milan) v FC Barcelona 1994
Michael REIZIGER (AFC Ajax) v Juventus 1996
Roy KEANE & Paul SCHOLES (Manchester United FC) v FC Bayern München 1999
Amedeo CARBONI (Valencia CF) v Real Madrid CF 2000
ZE ROBERTO (Bayer Leverkusen) v Real Madrid CF 2002
Pavel NEDVED (Juventus) v AC Milan 2003
Eric ABIDAL & DANIEL ALVES (FC Barcelona) v Manchester United FC 2009
Darren FLETCHER (Manchester United FC) v FC Barcelona 2009
Franck RIBÉRY (FC Bayern München) v FC Internazionale Milano 2010
THIAGO MOTTA (FC Internazionale Milano) v FC Bayern München 2010
José PINTO (FC Barcelona) v Manchester United FC 2011

RED CARDS IN THE FINAL

RECORD OF THE TITLE HOLDER THE FOLLOWING SEASON

THE CLUBS WHO HAVE PLAYED IN THE UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL

SIX FINALS:
AC Milan (1993, 1994, 1995, 2003, 2005, 2007)

FOUR FINALS:
FC Barcelona (1994, 2006, 2009, 2011), Juventus (1996, 1997, 1998, 2003), Manchester United FC (1999, 2008, 2009, 2011)

THREE FINALS:
Real Madrid CF (1998, 2000, 2002), FC Bayern München (1999, 2001, 2010)

TWO FINALS:
AFC Ajax (1995, 1996), Valencia CF (2000, 2001), Liverpool FC (2005, 2007)

ONE FINAL:
Olympique de Marseille (1993), BV Borussia Dortmund (1997), Bayer 04 Leverkusen (2002), FC Porto (2004), AS Monaco FC (2004), Arsenal FC (2006), Chelsea FC (2008), FC Internazionale Milano (2010)

WINNERS OF THE UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE TITLE

THREE TITLES:
AC Milan (1994, 2003, 2007), Real Madrid CF (1998, 2000, 2002), FC Barcelona (2006, 2009, 2011)

TWO TITLES:
Manchester United FC (1999, 2008)

ONE TITLE:
Olympique de Marseille (1993), AFC Ajax (1995), Juventus (1996), BV Borussia Dortmund (1997), FC Bayern München (2001), FC Porto (2004), Liverpool FC (2005), FC Internazionale Milano (2010)

RUNNERS-UP IN THE UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL

THREE FINALS:
Juventus (1997, 1998, 2003), AC Milan (1993, 1995, 2005)

TWO FINALS:
FC Bayern München (1999, 2010), Valencia CF (2000, 2001), Manchester United FC (2009, 2011)

ONE FINAL:
FC Barcelona (1994), AFC Ajax (1996), Bayer 04 Leverkusen (2002), AS Monaco FC (2004), Arsenal FC (2006), Liverpool FC (2007), Chelsea FC (2008), Manchester United FC (2009)

MOST SUCCESSFUL NATIONS IN THE UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL

SIX TITLES:
SPAIN (1998, 2000, 2002, 2006, 2009, 2011)

FIVE TITLES:
ITALY (1994, 1996, 2003, 2007, 2010)

THREE TITLES:
ENGLAND (1999, 2005, 2008)

TWO TITLES:
GERMANY (1997, 2001)

ONE TITLE:
FRANCE (1993), NETHERLANDS (1995), PORTUGAL (2004)
 
 

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