Champions League Final : Chelsea FC The Blues Vs Manchester United The Red Devils

Champions League final: Provisional teams and analysis for Manchester United and ChelseaBy Alan Smith
Last Updated: 2:46am BST 21/05/2008

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2008/05/21/nosplit/sfnzon121.xml

Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow

Wednesday May 21. 7.45pm

Referee: Lubos Michel (Slovakia)

Chelsea
Petr Cech Injury wise, the past 18 months have proved a nightmare, leading to some uncharacteristic errors. Still a class act though and a potential matchwinner.£70,000 (Wages per week)£10m (Transfer value)

Michael Essien It is a testament to his all-round ability that Avram Grant feels compelled to find his midfielder a place. Can provide the extra man pushing up on that side.£80,000 (Wages per week)£20m (Transfer value)

Ricardo Carvalho Defends like a musketeer, sweeping in and out of challenges with swashbuckling panache. His mobility will enable him to keep tabs on United's fluid attack.£80,000 (Wages per week)£19m (Transfer value)

John Terry After a dislocated elbow threatened his inclusion, just seeing their captain in his kit will give Chelsea a lift. Leaders do not come much more inspirational.£150,000 (Wages per week)£25m (Transfer value)

Ashley Cole Has never quite reached his old Arsenal standards in a system that discourages so much adventure. Still hard to beat though, as Cristiano Ronaldo will vouch.£100,000 (Wages per week)£19m (Transfer value)

Claude Makelele Still no one better at sniffing out danger before it appears - handy when Rooney and Ronaldo drift deep. Now 35, this could be his last hurrah.£70,000 (Wages per week)£6m (Transfer value)

Frank Lampard He and Ballack look more compatible having worked out who goes and who hangs back. Worked all his career for an occasion like this. Unlikely to disappoint.£90,000 (Wages per week)£25m (Transfer value)

Michael Ballack Enjoying himself now, this beautifully balanced, two-footed player arrives in the box with consummate timing. The German is made for games like this.£120,000 (Wages per week)£20m (Transfer value)

Joe Cole After a terrific season he should step out tonight brimming with confidence to keep Evra's hands full when Chelsea take possession. Due a goal, too.£85,000 (Wages per week)£18m (Transfer value)

Florent Malouda Sneaks in ahead of Kalou thanks to his greater reliability and big-match experience. Has endured an up-and-down season interrupted by injury.£60,000 (Wages per week)£12m (Transfer value)

Didier Drogba Chelsea's talisman can terrorise with his power and pace. If suitably motivated, which should be a given, even Ferdinand and Vidic will find the going tough.£90,000 (Wages per week)£24m (Transfer value)

On the bench

Carlo Cudicini

Second-best to Cech, but shouldn't be fazed by the challenge if called upon.£50,000 (Wages per week)£5m (Transfer value)

Juliano Belletti

Has previous in this final, having scored the winner for Barcelona two years ago.£65,000 (Wages per week)£12m (Transfer value)

Alex

Big and strong, he has done pretty well in his first season in London.£70,000 (Wages per week)£15m (Transfer value)

Salomon Kalou

Flits in and out with his dribbling, but can do some damage if given the space.£60,000 (Wages per week)£12m (Transfer value)

John Obi Mikel

A possible replacement if Makelele tires, though not so cute in shielding the defence.£65,000 (Wages per week)£14m (Transfer value)

Nicolas Anelka

About time he showed what he can do. What better occasion than this?£90,000 (Wages per week)£15m (Transfer value)

Andrei Shevchenko

Might the scene be set for a glorious intervention after two disappointing years?£100,000 (Wages per week)£12m (Transfer value)

Manchester United
Edwin van der Sar

At 37, still a very good goalkeeper. Though weak at kicking, his natural authority and confidence make the Dutchman a safe pair of hands in this context.
£80,000 (Wages per week)£3m (Transfer value)

Wes Brown

A great way to finish the busiest season of his United career to date. Often derided, but, as Gary Neville's deputy, the defender has made very few mistakes.
£55,000 (Wages per week)£6m (Transfer value)

Rio Ferdinand

In the form of his life, this elegant defender has added grit and consistency to his game to become the complete package. Loves responsibility as captain.
£120,000 (Wages per week)£40m (Transfer value)

Nemanja Vidic

The perfect partner for Ferdinand. Combative and aggressive, he will not shy away from a battle with Drogba. Always a danger from corners as well.
£70,000 (Wages per week)£18m (Transfer value)

Patrice Evra

As an attacking left-back, few come close to the Frenchman. Will not hesitate to bomb forward, partly with the intention of pushing back Joe Cole.
£30,000 (Wages per week)£12m (Transfer value)

Owen Hargreaves

Bought for European jaunts, yet hasn't been used as much as expected. Gets the nod here for his dogged resolve to counter the threat of Lampard and Ballack.
£80,000 (Wages per week)£18m (Transfer value)

Michael Carrick

Increasingly influential, this understated Geordie can make United tick. Might push further forward here to make the most of his wonderful passing range.
£80,000 (Wages per week)£18m (Transfer value)

Paul Scholes

Must pick his moments more carefully but remains a threat to Chelsea's rearguard. Missed the 1999 final, so Moscow amounts to his biggest club game.
£90,000 (Wages per week)£6m (Transfer value)

Cristiano Ronaldo

Cometh the hour. His prodigious talent deserves such a stage. And if he starts quickly, Ashley Cole and Co will be asked all sorts of questions.
£125,000 (Wages per week)£75m (Transfer value)

Ji-Sung Park

A willing workhorse lacking the subtlety of many team-mates but a player on whom Sir Alex Ferguson can depend. Unlikely to last the full 90 minutes.
£40,000 (Wages per week)£6m (Transfer value)

Wayne Rooney

Even more pivotal than Ronaldo to United's game-plan, his vision and energy shape the team's fortunes. Must guard against frustration if progress is slow.
£115,000 (Wages per week)£40m (Transfer value)

On the bench

Tomasz Kuszczak

Has shown that he might not be the answer when Van der Sar steps down.£25,000 (Wages per week)£2.5m (Transfer value)

Ryan Giggs

Seeking Sir Bobby Charlton's appearance record, the veteran winger has the intelligence to alter games.£85,000 (Wages per week)£4m (Transfer value)

Darren Fletche

Has improved beyond measure; now a reliable squad member.£40,000 (Wages per week)£6m (Transfer value)

John O'Shea

Great versatility and a fair bit of experience make the Irishman handy in reserve.£45,000 (Wages per week)£6m (Transfer value)

Anderson

Incredibly strong, the little Brazilian has enjoyed a great debut season.£55,000 (Wages per week)£18m (Transfer value)

Carlos Tevez

Unlucky to miss out, but what a weapon to have if the shape needs to change.£95,000 (Wages per week)£30m (Transfer value)

Mikael Silvestre

Returns from injury, just in time, perhaps, to play a key part.£50,000 (Wages per week)£5m (Transfer value)

Pitch verdict

The news is not as bad as first feared; certainly not as pessimistic as reported yesterday when it sounded like the pitch at Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium wasn't fit for a pub team, never mind the Champions League final. But after walking along the side of this newly-relayed surface I can confirm that it should hold up OK. Yes, there are one or two patches that haven't bedded in properly and some dry patches are visible from up in the stand. The grass, admittedly, was a bit long as well but I'd say the English groundsman, Matthew Frost, was only protecting his patch for last night's training sessions. A closer cut today should have it in good shape.

Ref watch

Lubos Michel has taken charge of 73 Uefa games; this will be his 49th game in the Champions League. He speak five languages: Slovakian, English, Russian, German and Polish. He was the first Slovakian referee since independence to officiate at a World Cup.

Other Big 4 News

Arsenal teammates demand better from skipper Gallas

Arsenal teammates have demanded better on-field leadership from captain William Gallas. The Mirror says Gunners' players told the Frenchman his crazy antics after Saturday's game at Birmingham were "not the behaviour of a captain". The Gunners skipper lost the plot after his side suffered a major setback to their Premier League title hopes. Gallas broke down in tears, sulked on the pitch and even went up the other end as Birmingham's James McFadden netted a last minute penalty.

And it's revealed that Gallas carried on his behaviour in the dressing room and had to be calmed down by several senior players, some of whom questioned his leadership at St Andrews.
Gallas did not stop ranting, raving and shouting as he showed signs of cracking up. Gilberto, Mathieu Flamini and Emmanuel Adebayor were among the players to step in and calm down the French defender

Atletico Madrid want Liverpool boss Benitez, keeper Reina

Atletico Madrid are planning a double-raid on Liverpool for manager Rafa Benitez and goalkeeper Pepe Reina. The Daily Star says Atletico chiefs met at the Vicente Calderon on Monday to discuss making a concrete approach for Benitez, who has had a turbulent relationship with Liverpool's current owners and may be looking for a way out.

The Spanish club have decided to hand Benitez a £40m transfer kitty should he be prepared to leave Anfield and an Atletico source: "We know it might be difficult to get him here but we will fight for the chance." Atletico also want Liverpool No1 Reina, who has expressed an ambition to play for the club where his Dad kept goal.

Liverpool boss Benitez admits rotations wind-back

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has revealed plans to wind-back his rotation policy for the season run-in.
Benitez told the club's website: "I think so. It will depend on the players in the end, but we can keep some players playing more games now."

Liverpool owner Hicks remains in DIC talks

Despite denials, Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks will continue talks with Dubai International Capital, it has been revealed.
The Times says the Arab investment group is expected to become a co-owner of the Merseyside club next month by purchasing the 50 per cent stake held by George Gillett Jr in the first phase of a takeover process that will test the strength of Hicks's latest denials.
Despite yesterday's statement released by the American, numerous sources insist that his partnership with Gillett is finished and that DIC will start the first phase of its takeover within weeks.

Hicks's latest statement did not deny that discussions are taking place. DIC's interest never went away after it was gazumped by Hicks and Gillett a little more than 12 months ago and, although DIC turned down the Americans' invitation to buy a 15 per cent stake in the club after a meeting in October, discussions have taken place behind the scenes since the start of this year.
Hicks wants to remain senior partner in any coalition with DIC, which is proving a stumbling block in negotiations.

Ferguson wants Saha to convince Benzema about Man Utd

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is leaning on Louis Saha to convince France teammate Karim Benzema to quit Olympique Lyon for Old Trafford. The Mirror says Fergie has spoken to United hitman Saha about sounding out Benzema - his France team-mate - over a possible move in the summer. Money is in place for Fergie to bring a big-name striker to Old Trafford. Saha is likely to make way for the new arrival, a huge irony if it turns out to be Benzema.

Arsenal And Man U Champions League Aftermath

Arsenal's Toure out for month

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger admits he expects to lose Kolo Toure for four weeks after seeing him breakdown during last night's 0-0 draw with AC Milan.He said: "A calf injury that rules him out for, from what I've seen after the game, for three or four weeks at least. It was a bad movement, a consequence of the African Nations Cup, too much heat in the calf!"

Arsenal boss Wenger refuses to blame Adebayor

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger refused to blame Emmanuel Adebayor after his last-gasp miss in last night's 0-0 draw with AC Milan. Wenger said: "We didn't take advantage of the chances we created because we were a bit nervous in the final third. We were a bit too forceful and they defended with a lot of experience."Adebayor's wasn't the only chance. We had plenty. Eboue also had good chances, but we were a bit nervous and when we had shots we didn't test the keeper enough.

Most of our shots were straight in the middle of the goal because we wanted to hit it too hard.
"You could see last Saturday against Manchester United that our mind was already on this game."We just wanted to force the decision too much. We weren't relaxed enough in the final third when we had the chances."Wenger added: "We can play at a high tempo for 90 minutes. They will have to come out."

Man Utd furious over Ronaldo laser light

Manchester United were unhappy with a laser light targeting Cristiano Ronaldo throughout last night's 1-1 draw at Olympique Lyon. The Daily Mail says before the kick-off, United staff noticed what seemed to be a laser light being shone into the eyes of Ronaldo from the crowd during the warm-up.

United reported the matter to UEFA but the problem appeared to continue throughout the first half. Boss Sir Alex Ferguson said: "We reported it to UEFA. We noticed it before the game."They tried to deal with it but I don't know how much longer it went on."

Rooney: Tevez strike crucial for Man Utd

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney admitted relief after Carlos Tevez's grabbed a late equaliser in their 1-1 draw at Olympique Lyon. Tevez struck in the 87th minute in France as United claimed a 1-1 draw from the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.Rooney told Sky Sports: "It is always crucial to get an away goal and 1-1 is a lot better than 1-0. It was a crucial goal to take back to Old Trafford."I felt we controlled the game for most of it. They had a few chances and stuck the ball in.

"Lyon are a good team and we know we have to concentrate 100 per cent."United manager Sir Alex Ferguson admitted his side were caught out by Karim Benzema's opening goal but was pleased with their display.Ferguson told Sky Sports: "I think we showed our determination to try to get back."We lost a goal out of nothing. We were in complete control and it knocked us back a bit."They defended very well and made it difficult for us but I think we deserved it without question."There was an urgency to get back in the game and I think we are best in that situation."