UEFA Champions League: Has Chelsea's Time Finally Come?

This is the very question I have been asking myself for quite a while now.

Is it possible that, after two consecutive defeats by Liverpool, Chelsea will finally take revenge and win the Champions League?

First of all, unlike all of the attempts at the trophy under Mourinho, this time the pressure on the Blues is not surmounting. In fact, they are considered to be the team with the lowest chance of winning the cup.

And all evidence points to the reasonable conclusion that Chelsea will be crushed, or just tricked, if you prefer the not-so-strong term, by Liverpool again.

This year’s team is by no means stronger than Mourinho’s side last year while this is undoubtedly the best Liverpool squad since the beginning of the Premier League.

However, the Champions League is certainly not the tournament where reason prevails. Except for 2006 when Barca won the title, the last champions have been, at the very least, unexpected.

The first shock came in 2004 when Porto came out of nowhere to claim the title. I do not want to undermine their efforts but if it had not been for a lucky free kick against United in the 93^rd minute of the second leg in the quarter finals, it might have actually been Manchester United…

Then came Istanbul… I just don’t want to get into that game. It is probably the most incredible match that I will ever see. And not because of the way Liverpool reversed the game but because of the way AC Milan was playing in the first half.

They were just too good for Liverpool who seemed tired after beating Chelsea before that. Enough about this game…

Barcelona was absolutely the best team in 2006, so the Champions League title was absolutely deserved.

And then those two again… I don’t know why AC Milan was allowed to play in the tournament in the first place but that does not matter now.

All that matters is that second-leg semi final when they destroyed United (I had actually placed a bet that this game would end 2:1 in United’s favor). And the sweet revenge that followed…

Speaking of revenge at Liverpool, why shouldn’t Chelsea strike back this year?

Yes, they are not the intimidating team they were a few years ago, but they are still not to be underestimated. And they are the only team that has a chance of stealing the Premier League title from Manchester United.

So, my bet (which will probably, as usual, turn out to be wrong) this year is on Chelsea.

If they manage to overcome Benitez’s side, they will surely have the confidence that they are capable of doing anything.

And if they lose to United in the Premier League this weekend, then this final will be the last chance to win something this season. Why not use it?