Chelsea take on Bayern Munich in the UEFA Super Cup in Prague tomorrow and despite all the talk about Pep Guardiola’s rivalry with Jose Mourinho and their players seeking revenge for the 2012 Champions League final, it’s really just a good opportunity for the Blues to test themselves against a top side and attempt at some early silverware.
The Europa League winners took part in the competition last season as European champions but were embarrassed by Radamel Falcao and company as Atletico Madrid ran out 4-1 winners.
Juan Mata was an unused substitute at Old Trafford against Manchester United but Mourinho says that the Spaniard is fit to play against Bayern Munich. The Portuguese manager added that David Luiz is also fit but may not be ready to play.
The XI I’d pick to play Bayern Munich:
P. Cech
B. Ivanovic – G. Cahill – J. Terry (c) – A. Cole
J. Mikel – Ramires
Oscar – J. Mata – E. Hazard
F. Torres
The aforementioned back four may not be the best we have but have played in all of our games so far and for defensive continuity it’s best to stick with them for now. They did very well at Old Trafford and will have to put in a similar performance here.
Frank Lampard has looked a little out of sorts in our midfield in the last two games and when teams press against us his forward runs aren’t effective because we just can’t get the ball forward quick enough or build from deep as it leaves Ramires in the centre alone. I’d start John Obi Mikel and have him sit in the midfield in order to let Ramires use his pace on the break.
Having Mikel around will also help Mata as the Spain international probably isn’t going to track back as much as Oscar does when he occupies that central role as it isn’t really his game, but there isn’t a better playmaker in the team and as long as Mikel and Ramires provide a solid base we can see the best of Mata in this one. Eden Hazard will need to shape up as he’s been off the boil but this is the stage to do it on and Oscar just needs to keep his work-rate up as the performances are there.
Fernando Torres is the most experienced forward in the side and will probably start this one. I would like to see Romelu Lukaku feature at some point and think the Belgian is perhaps more suited to having an impact from the bench if need be than Torres would have if it was the other way around, but we’ll see.
Who would be in your Chelsea XI to play Bayern Munich in the UEFA Super Cup?
Cech
Ivanovic Cahill Terry Cole
Mikel Essien
Hazard Oscar Schurlle
Lukaku
I doubt this would ever happen but, cech, azp, ivo, JT, cole…mikel, lamps…ram, mata, hazard…Lukaku – switching between 4-2-3-1 and 4-3-3 wih ram and mata switching between winger and central. Ram can score and track back on the wing in big games and seems to have the stamina of a marathon runner.
That’s a nice one and grossly tactical. Juan mata Oscar hazard with Torres upfront a 4-2-3-1 formation which in between might swap to 4-1-5-1 to press forward when the pressure is high against them. Ramirez would be the virus running upfront while Mikel sit back. Hell no to Cesar he can’t stop Ribery and he’s not strong In the air. I would prefer ivanovic, Cahill, terry, cole! They all strong to compete in the air.
robben & ribery, who takes care of them? team should be built up from here … 😉
Cut off their supply…or kick ’em
@AnthonyWilliams, Can either willian and eto’o play?
Hell no! They left out
They may be there but only as spectators.
Schwarzer,Azpi,Iva,Luiz,Bertrand,Mikel,Van Ginkel,Essien,De Bruyne,Mata,Lukaku.
It’s nothing more that a glorified friendly.
Peter cech, Ivanovic, Cahil, Terry, Cole, Mikel, Ramirez, Hazard, Osca, Mata, Torres. Bench. Lukeku, shurlue,De brunye,Luiz, Lampard,Azpi, swazer, Betrand.
Cech
Ivanovic cahill terry cole
Ramires essien
De bruyne mata hazard
Lukaku
Pls play mikel with ramirez peter ,invanovic,terry,cahil,cole,mikel,ramirez,mata,oscar,hazard,torres
Cech
Iva cahill terry cole
Mikel ramirez
Oscar mata hazard
Lukaku
Cech
Ivana – Gary – JT – AsH
Mikel – Ramires
Mata – Oscar – Hazard
Nando
Ivana can track the runs of Ribery and Alaba. Mandzukic is a big treat aerially,so jt & Gary should be deployed cos of their ability so stay on him. Ash can work in tandem with Haz both offensive & defensively to track the glass man. Mata can drift in from wide to allow ivana make the runs,likewise hazard and ash. That way they’ll pull the fullbacks out and isolate the CBs Which makes Torres and Oscar take them on 1v1.