YOUR FRIENDS' ACTIVITY

    Arsene Wenger

    No excuses for Bayern

    Bayern Munich go into their second leg against Basel trailing 1-0, and they will be extra motivated because the final is at their Allianz Arena home.

    However, they should watch out for Basel, who have already shown this season that they can cause an upset.

    They were trailing to Manchester United at Old Trafford, and came back to get a result.

    Basel have real know-how, intelligent players and they have built a great structure at the club.

    Their coach Heiko Vogel used to be Bayern's assistant manager, but that shouldn't be an excuse for the German side if they do not get through.

    When the final is at your home stadium, you have to succeed, but they have shown defensive weakness - Basel hit the crossbar and post, and could have scored more in the first leg.

    Chelsea need to win 2-0 or better to go through in their tie against Napoli, so they have to make it an open game.

    They need to take risks without conceding goals, which is a tough task because Napoli are so good on the counter-attack.

    They are a strong team, very efficient in the final 30 metres, and they give the impression that they can score at any time.

    Their goals-to-shots ratio is extraordinarily good, and that's not just down to the great shooting of Edinson Cavani and his team-mates.

    It means they are creating clear chances, and the ability consistently to fashion goalscoring opportunities is the sign of a great team.

    Like Arsenal, Chelsea have had a turbulent season. They now have a new coach and Roberto Di Matteo has not had much time to impose his ideas or restore confidence, which is another problem.

    However, I still think they can qualify, and Napoli may live to regret not scoring a fourth goal in the first leg that may well have put the tie out of reach.

    About Arsene Wenger

    Arsène Wenger is the current Arsenal manager. He has managed the club since 1996. He is currently the club's longest serving manager and most successful, based on trophies won.

    • Bayern Munich muscle too strong for …

      Bayern Munich muscle too strong for …

      Arsene Wenger says Bayern Munich's financial strength will always keep them one step ahead of Borussia Dortmund. Continue reading → More »

      Arsene Wenger - 6 hours ago
    • Klopp hoping to have the last laugh …

      Klopp hoping to have the last laugh …

      If Muhammad Ali was once named the Louisville Lip, perhaps Juergen Klopp deserves to be known as the Stuttgart Smile. That famous grin regularly spreads across his face, goofy and infectious, whether provoked by one of his schoolgirl giggles or … Continue reading → More »

      Pitchside Europe - 14 hours ago
    • German finalists teach England how to …

      German finalists teach England how to …

      Jim White says England should pay close attention to Champions League finalists Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, and perhaps learn a lesson or two. Continue reading → More »

      Jim White - 14 hours ago
    • 10 extra reasons why you can’t miss …

      10 extra reasons why you can’t miss …

      Early Doors takes a light-hearted look at why the nation should be glued to Saturday night's all-German Champions League final at Wembley Stadium. Continue reading → More »

      Early Doors - 21 hours ago
    • Heynckes eyes fitting finale to stunning …

      Heynckes eyes fitting finale to stunning …

      Andreas Evagora looks at what Saturday's Champions League final means for the departing Jupp Heynckes. Continue reading → More »

      Pitchside Europe - Thu, May 23, 2013 16:18 BST
    POLL

    Who will win the Champions League final?

    Loading...
    Poll Choice Options

    FANTASY FOOTBALL

    • Free To Join
      Free To Join

      Think you can do better than Fergie or Mancini? Sign up now and pick your winning team. More »