UEFA Champions League Final: 5 Reasons Underdogs Chelsea Can Beat Bayern

Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

It has been quite the Champions League campaign this season, with a number of shocks, surprises and upsets.

None were bigger than Chelsea ousting Barcelona in the semifinal to set up a final against Bayern Munich.

With the last fixture taking place at Die Roten's home, the Allianz Arena, the Bundesliga giants will be favourites, but the Blues should not be written off.

Here's why.

Roberto Di Matteo and recent resurgence

Clive Rose/Getty Images

The Chelsea side that was comprehensively beaten 3-1 in San Paolo by Napoli earlier this campaign—Andre Villas-Boas' last European fixture in charge—looks like a different team to the current crop.

Under interim boss Roberto Di Matteo, the Blues have only lost one game in their last 16, with the playing squad seemingly rejuvenated under the former Chelsea midfielder.

Despite being favourites, Bayern will have to work hard to overcome a team in form.

A last hurray for the old guard

Jamie McDonald/Getty Images

With the signing of Marko Marin announced over the weekend, Chelsea are expected to bring in a host of younger players this summer to inject a fresh feel into their squad.

This may well mean the end for a number of the established players that have been the basis of the Stamford Bridge side over the last five years.

The likes of Didier Drogba, Florent Malouda and even Frank Lampard may well make an exit from west London at the end of the campaign, making them more motivated to end on a high.

Bayern's questionable defence

Alex Livesey/Getty Images

Although the Bavarian side's rearguard has improved since last season, there are still question marks over their central defenders.

Jerome Boateng has been used in the middle of the defence despite playing the majority of his football on the flanks, whilst Holger Badstuber is suspended for the game against the Blues.

The Premier League side will be aware of this and look to attack the heart of the hosts.

Cup finals back-to-back

Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

Both Bayern and Chelsea have domestic cup finals to play before their encounter, with the English team facing Liverpool in the FA Cup and the Germans taking on Borussia Dortmund in the DFB Pokal.

Although Kenny Dalglish's men have shown stubbornness in the cup competitions this term, Chelsea will go into the game as favourites.

Dortmund, meanwhile, have something of a hex over Bayern recently, winning the last two Bundesliga titles and four meetings between the teams.

The respective cup finals may well have an impact on the eventual winner at Munich's Allianz Arena, as confidence can be maintained or deflated.

Didier Drogba

Michael Regan/Getty Images

Given the unconvincing nature of Bayern's backline, Didier Drogba will look to use his considerable ability and experience to take full advantage.

The Ivory Coast international looks to be one of the players certain to leave Stamford Bridge in the summer, as an expiring contract has not shown any signs of being renewed.

The African marksman scored the winner against Barcelona at Stamford Bridge, and will be the west London club's main attacking weapon in Germany.