PROBABLE LINEUPS

CHELSEA
Cech Bosingwa, Terry, Ivanovic, Cole, Ramires, Lampard, Meireles,Mata,  Anelka, Sturridge

BAYER LEVERKUSEN
Leno,Reinartz, Toprak, Kadlec,Castro,Rolfes, Ballack, Bender, Augusto, Sam, Kiessling

Michael Ballack today admitted he would forever be haunted by Chelsea's Champions League final loss to Manchester United but was ready to inflict more misery on his former club tomorrow night.

Ballack is set to play at Stamford Bridge for the first time since leaving the Blues just over a year ago when Bayer Leverkusen begin their Group E campaign against the Blues.

The 34-year-old has the unique honour of being the only man to play in the biggest game in both clubs' history, inspiring Leverkusen to the 2002 Champions League final before starting for Chelsea in the 2008 showpiece.

Unfortunately, the midfielder ended up on the losing side on both occasions, but it was perhaps the penalty shootout heartache in Moscow that was the more difficult defeat to take, with Ballack today saying: "It will haunt all of us for ever.''

Former Germany captain Ballack, who turns 35 this month, will receive a special presentation from Chelsea in recognition of his four years' service before kick-off tomorrow night.

He said: "The presentation is a very nice gesture and it will be a very emotional moment for me tomorrow.

"There are still a few players there and some who left in the meantime who I am still friends with and whom I am still in touch with, and also a few of the staff.

"When I moved to Chelsea, it was a big, big challenge and experience for me at the time to play with so many good players.

"If I look back, I had a very good time. I feel always welcomed by the fans and the club. They treat me always very well and we had success.

"We missed a few chances, but we had some successes and I will remember this always and it is a big part of my career.''

Bundesliga runners-up Leverkusen will be underdogs tomorrow but Ballack said: "It is just a game of football, although we are aware there are some big names on the other side.

"We will have our chances.''

Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas may not field his first-choice XI with Sunday's Barclays Premier League trip to Old Trafford on the horizon.

"You'll see some changes tomorrow. Then we'll make wise decisions for Sunday,'' said Villas-Boas, whose big decision once again revolves around whether or not to select Fernando Torres.

Daniel Sturridge certainly did enough to start alongside or instead of the misfiring Spaniard in Saturday's Barclays Premier League win at Sunderland, although Villas-Boas was reluctant to lavish praise on the 22-year-old.

He said: "He had a three-game ban and has just returned, and he had motivation to have an impact in that game. It was the team, also, who made him perform to that level.''

Didier Drogba will miss tomorrow's game as he continues his recovery from his sickening head injury.

Match

I predict 3 0, Chelsea 3 Bayer Leverkusen 0, both goals coming from Anelka and Sturridge, Chelsea all the way

Ohhh, not again !! Why Lampard again ?!
Why cant AVB play Mikel bhind Ramires & Mata, atleast 4a change, knowin hw impotant d UCL is 2us dis season? This Englishman status of Lampard's draging us dwn d bluuuueeez; de earlier d coach taks a decision on him, d beta, cos ds de last chanc 4d curent crop of Bridge boys 2tak a grab @dt most coveted Trophy. Pass ds time, and Roman Babal'owo gona kick al 'em as.ses straight dwn 2 Qatar, Malysia, UAE & d rest o'them no-futbal leagues

AVB team wins, and its stands,

mukiwa,
please go and look for another line up for chelsea.

Blue is the color of the sky.

Navy blue is the color of my jeans.

Blue is the color of the earth

And is part of our Nation's flag.

It is the color of my club,

Lampard is a waste of space in Chelsea midfield and I really hope that this is his last season at Chelsea. We should have sold him to Madrid when Mourinho wanted him.

Torres just released a statement saying our midfield is too slow and old and I agree with him; If we want our 50 million pound man to score, then we need a play maker to pass the DAMN ball to him.

Starting line up should be:
Cech, A.Cole, Terry, Luiz, Ivanovic

Mikel, Ramirez and Mireles

Mata Torres Anelka

Chelsea win 3 1

Chei ! LAMPARD AGAIN ?! Na war o!

Why cant they bench this lampard. Chelsea is going to be playing 10 men squad + 1 short one.

They should be benching Lamp in crusial games. Afterall, there are still more games to play.

Na by force to play Lamp ? Josh MAc is rotten on the bench.

They wanted to buy Neyman or modric. So, are they planning to put these talents on bench for Lampard ?

once Chelsea leave politics out of football, they will win something.

up blues, for life

Go Leverkusen

link

link pls?

And we have a goal from a defender again,

Torres still a waste of space,

See the difference anelka makes when he comes in,

imagine that.

2-0 Toress ----- Mata

airmark:

2-0 Toress ----- Mata

Erm while i would want to agree with that, i would think that a 50m pound man would try to get

a goal for himself, How much does aguero cost?? less than 50m yeah??

dayokanu:

Go Leverkusen

go where ? chelsea is kickin their butt big time.

moonraker:

Erm while i would want to agree with that, i would think that a 50m pound man would try to get

a goal for himself, How much does aguero cost?? less than 50m yeah??

Bros e tire me too o. At times his game almost made me to vomit but with time he will come with his goals too. Two assists aint bad today.

Chelsea for life oooooooooooo

:d ;d

Torres probably waiting for Luiz to score a second goal before he scores his second.
some might say the assist was from torres,
who knows where the ball would have ended if both of their roles were reversed.

Good win for blues though.

All this one na soso oyibo. KANO PILLARS ALL D WAY

Chelsea rocks, they do'nt take shit and they get the job done, good work again.

With this Torres guy getting close to Mata more than every other team mates, he will destroy d bond in the dressing room. Offloading him to Ac Milan will be the best thing to do.