The European showpiece could ultimately be decided from 12 yards, in which case Bayern Munich's keeper will need to be alert to the threats posed by Chelsea's likely spot-kickers
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ANALYSIS
By Stephen Darwin & Chris Myson
While both sides at the Allianz Arena on Saturday evening will hope to seal a Champions League triumph within the allotted 90 minutes, or failing that in extra-time, the possibility of a dramatic penalty shoot-out looms large for Chelsea and Bayern Munich.
Spot-kicks may not be unfamiliar territory for the Blues, but memories of their 2008 slip-up against Manchester United will no doubt still haunt those players who tasted failure in Moscow four years ago.
Although the likes of Frank Lampard ooze confidence from 12-yards, not all of Roberto Di Matteo’s heavyweights have delivered knock-out blows from the penalty spot, with Didier Drogba in particular struggling in recent times.
However, the same can be said about some of Bayern's key figures, even though they ousted Real Madrid from the spot in their semi-final, with the Bundesliga giants earning a 3-1 victory on penalties to seal their place in the final.
Ahead of the clash in Munich, Goal.com looks at the preparation Manuel Neuer will be undergoing ahead of the match by analysing Chelsea's potential five penalty takers, and exactly how they have shaped up from 12 yards in their recent attempts.
| CHELSEA'S FIVE POTENTIAL PENALTY TAKERS |
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MATA | LUIZ | KALOU |
LAMPARD |
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DIDIER DROGBA
PENALTY FACTFILE |
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SCORED FOR IVORY COAST VS ZAMBIA (February 12, 2012)
It's been a bit of a mixed bag to summarise Didier Drogba's recent success rate when it comes to penalties. The Ivorian has scored just two of his last five spot-kicks, with two misses coming in the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations.
Drogba is coolness personified when it comes to stepping up to the mark and, while he is by no means the perfect penalty taker, he will undoubtedly be one to put himself forward should the match go to a shoot-out and won't be distracted by the intimidating atmosphere.
While it is practically impossible to second-guess where the Chelsea striker may place his penalty if required at the Allianz Arena, Manuel Neuer may just be best served to hold his position in the centre of the goal, with three of Drogba's last five penalties having been struck down the middle.
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JUAN MATA
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MISSED FOR CHELSEA VS BIRMINGHAM (February 18, 2012)He may have seen his last penalty saved by Birmingham City's Colin Doyle, but Juan Mata is no stranger to the penalty spot and will probably be one of the five allotted takers that Di Matteo will hope to rely on.
The Spanish World Cup winner has favoured the right side of the goal for three of his last five penalties, with both misses coming when he opted to change tack - firstly blazing over via the crossbar against Levante in 2011 before Doyle's heroics earlier this year.
With his own heroics in the semi-final win over Real Madrid, Neuer proved he is a tough nut to crack when it comes to a penalty shoot-out, having saved from the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka; but should penalties be needed, Mata will undoubtedly be confident he is up to the task.
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DAVID LUIZ
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Luiz is certainly an erratic player and despite his obvious talent, he is probably not someone you would want to rely on in a gripping situation like a Champions League final penalty shoot-out.
He has scored one and missed the other in his two penalties for Chelsea and had a similarly mixed record at Benfica. Bayern will think they are in with a chance if he steps up after 120 minutes.
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FRANK LAMPARD
PENALTY FACTFILE |
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Frank Lampard is Chelsea's Mr Reliable from 12 yards. He has missed high-profile spot-kicks for both club and country in the past, but his record is generally very solid, and if Blues fans could pick one man to step up when they need a successful conversion most, it would probably be Lamps.
John Terry is still haunted by his miss in Moscow while wearing the captain's armband, and the experienced midfielder will be eager to avoid the same fate.
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SALOMON KALOU
PENALTY FACTFILE |
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Since Roberto Di Matteo brought him back into the first-team picture, Chelsea have a great record when they have had Salomon Kalou on the pitch.
Their fans will be pleased to learn he also has a good recent record from the penalty spot, on the few occasions he has taken penalties in England - all in penalty shoot-outs. That means he is a certain candidate to step up if he is still on the pitch after full-time and the game is level.
He tends to hit most of his penalties high into the top corner, giving goalkeepers little to no chance if he executes his attempts correctly.
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