[ZEUS]

Chelsea entertain Liverpool on Wednesday with a place in the Champions League final at stake.

EUROPEAN PEDIGREE

The Blues won the Cup Winners' Cup in 1971 and 1998, when they later added the Super Cup, but they are yet to make it beyond the semi-finals of the Champions League - a feat achieved in 2004, 2005 and 2007.

Liverpool's continental success is unrivalled in Britain, with their five European Cup crowns eclipsed only by Real Madrid (nine) and AC Milan (six).

Manager Rafael Benitez won over the fans in his first season with the famous comeback triumph in Istanbul in 2005 and taking the Reds to the final in Athens in 2007 proved it was not a fluke.

FORM

Chelsea have had a consistent season and were always in touch with the Premier League leaders without being favourites to win the title.

However, Saturday's 2-1 victory over Manchester United put them joint top with the defending champions with just two matches to go. The fact they came away from Anfield with a 1-1 draw despite being over-run in the second half will give them confidence.

Liverpool have hit form at the right time - their last defeat coming on March 23 against Manchester United.

Benitez's focus on the Champions League has been to the detriment of his side's league form as he persistently rested key players earlier in the campaign. However, they still managed to recover from a two-goal deficit to draw 2-2 with Birmingham on Saturday with a much-changed side.

They must, though, get over the manner they conceded Chelsea's equaliser in the first leg which has given the west London side the edge.

PLAYERS

In defence and midfield there is little to choose between the two sides, where both ooze quality and solidity in almost every position. In recent seasons Liverpool's quality was undermined by their attacking options when compared with Chelsea's.

However, in Fernando Torres they have Europe's top striker this season while Blues frontman Didier Drogba has been less effective. Chelsea's January acquisition of Nicolas Anelka was shrewd and the quality he brings could be vital.

source

Who do you think will be our opponent in the final and why?

Pre Match, In Match and Post Match discussion here!

No Spamming!

[GocartMozart]

personaly, I have a feeling that it's gong to be Chelsea in the final. I can't help but think that the stage is set for Avram Grant. His team is riding an emotional high from beating us, they have been rallied behind Fat frank after his mother died and I can't help but have a little smile on my face if he gets to the finals while the special one watches from home.

I'll catch some sleep around 2:45pm EST it seems

[randy420]

chelsea seem to have the advantage here, but liverpool are notoriously jammy when it comes to advancing in the CL.

I'd rather play pool in the final. but I think it is for the best if chelsea go through because if pool go through, there's bound to be choas in moscow that could see england booted from europe again

[GocartMozart]

news flash

Avram Grant is the special one



That's right Jose, it's the undertaker!!!!

Be Champions!

[Dirtycheat]

Pre Match, In Match and Post Match discussion here!

No spoilers and Spamming!

I would like to discuss the match but i cant post spoilers, how does that work

[GocartMozart]

Ahhh Riise, you're lovely. I always had a lot of respect for you as a player. Great work lad. A true red...Mancunian red that is.

Maybe Chel$ki blue?

[funkdoctorspock]

Really isn't Riise's fault in the 2nd leg. He played quite well.

The overall 2nd leg was extremely entertaining for a neutral. Lots of end to end action and quite a few scoring opportunities.

Let me say this. When Didier Drogba takes time out from flopping around like a fish and actually plays football, he's nothing short of amazing. His first goal was absolutely incredible. Wonderful finish. He hussled, and constantly kept Pool's backline unsettled.

Its a shame that Essien is placed as rightback. He is one of my favourite midfielders to watch. He can do it all. Attack, defend, head, shoot... He was a cyborg today and Chelsea really need to figure out a better position for him.

The more I see Torres play, the more I smile that he decided to shun United for Liverpool. He is completely wasting his talents there. Quality play with crap players around him.

So Chelsea through to the final to face Manchester United.

P.S. Any twat who thinks Grant is a better manager than Mourinho because one guided Chelsea to a CL final, while one didn't needs help.

[ViSh23]

Liverpool is out of the CL... its not surprising for me.. i was expecting lfc not to qualified...
Between torres made his choice to go there, so let hm regret a little of his days there..

united v/s chelsea.

That will be a great match...

Drogba was a danger for the reds defence.. for me he was the man of the match...

[GocartMozart]

Originally Posted by funkdoctorspock

Let me say this. When Didier Drogba takes time out from flopping around like a fish and actually plays football, he's nothing short of amazing. His first goal was absolutely incredible. Wonderful finish. He hussled, and constantly kept Pool's backline unsettled.

Oh without a doubt he's one of the best center forwards out there. In fact minus the diving and the ugly mug he'd be perfect for United, the difference is that he's cnt and thus not fit to shine SAF's shoes. tbh I don't think his constant complaining would work well in our team anyway, but then again this hypothetical is absolute bullshit.

Originally Posted by funkdoctorspock

Its a shame that Essien is placed as rightback. He is one of my favourite midfielders to watch. He can do it all. Attack, defend, head, shoot... He was a cyborg today and Chelsea really need to figure out a better position for him.

Couldn't agree more. He's Chelsea's best player without a doubt. I hated his guts the first season he was in the EPL, but he's such a great leader on the pitch. Not verbally, but he thinks independently and knows when he is needed to go forward even when the rest of the team might be sulking. His shots are always on or about the target and he's a fucking beast in the tackle. Great player, unfortunately he's a cnt in the tackle as well, but then again so is Roy Keane and Paul Scholes.

Originally Posted by funkdoctorspock

P.S. Any twat who thinks Grant is a better manager than Mourinho because one guided Chelsea to a CL final, while one didn't needs help.

No one really thinks that, but we'd still all love to throw it back in that super tanned gits face.

[Dirtycheat]

I think chelsea had it easy on their way to the final, not much of an achievement tbh.

Final

21.05.2008 v Man. United(A)20:45


Semi-finals

22.04.2008 v Liverpool (A)1-130.04.2008 v Liverpool (H)3-2

Quarter-finals

02.04.2008 v Fenerbahçe (A)1-208.04.2008 v Fenerbahçe (H)2-0

First knockout round

19.02.2008 v Olympiacos (A)0-005.03.2008 v Olympiacos (H)3-0

Group stage

18.09.2007 v Rosenborg (H)1-1