Chelsea star Mata: We've beaten Barcelona, bring on Bayern!

The 24-year-old is adamant that the Blues can overcome the Bundesliga side after their Camp Nou heroics and suggests the pressure of playing at home could count against the Germans

 

 

EXCLUSIVE
By Francisco Delgado

Chelsea attacker Juan Mata is confident that his side can defeat Bayern Munich in the Champions League final on Saturday, insisting that the Blues can draw inspiration from their semi-final triumph over Barcelona.

Bundesliga outfit Bayern head into the crunch clash at their Allianz Arena home as favourites and have already seen off the likes of Marseille and Real Madrid, as well as winning a group containing Manchester City and Napoli, en route to the final.

The Blues themselves have impressed on their journey to Munich, however, and Mata believes that the aggregate win against last year's champions in the last round stands them in good stead. 

"We knocked out Barca, who are the best footballing side in the world, and that must give us a boost for Saturday's game," the Spaniard told Goal.com in an exclusive interview. "We have 90 minutes ahead and anything can happen. I see an open final in which one move could change everything.

"The final is 50-50 right now. If people see Bayern as favourites that doesn't worry us because the pressure will be for the Germans.

"We will go out and play against Bayern without closing up in defence, although our manager still hasn't talked to us about tactics for the final."

Roberto Di Matteo's side will be without John Terry, Branislav Ivanovic, Raul Meireles and Ramires due to suspension but Mata is certain that the Blues can cope without some of their star names.

"Due to cards we have suffered some important absences but in a final like this one the ones who go out on the pitch will be ultra-motivated and even tiredness and the long season is forgotten," he added.

"If we win the Champions League, people will forget that in the Premier League we haven't been at our best. We have already won the FA Cup and this would be an unforgettable dream.

"With Spain I have experienced two unique finals - and with victories. But at club level this is the maximum for me. Being European champion is within reach of very few players. And on a personal level, two titles in my first year in England would be more than I dreamt of in the summer when I left Valencia."

Mata went on to discuss Chelsea's opponents and warned his team-mates to be wary of the threat posed by the likes of Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben.

"What can I say about Bayern? This year they haven't won anything, but they are at home and for them this is more than a final," the forward observed.

"They have a great team and we have to be very attentive with their connection between midfield and attack - that's where their real danger lies.

"You need to be at 100 per cent for a battle with Ribery in midfield, but in a game like this one you have to face whoever you are up against and not have any kind of fear.

"Robben is a player capable of opening up a game with a move or a shot. We have to get on top of him and we can't let him be comfortable." 

 

 

Source : Goal.com