Chelsea vs. Bayern Munich: Frank Lampard Key to Blues Upset

Frank Lampard is among the best midfielders in the world. He will be the key to Chelsea's upset hopes in Saturday's UEFA Champions League final against Bayern Munich. 

Lampard's resume is loaded with lauds. He has 24 goals in 95 career European games, including the game-tying goal against Manchester United in 2007 Champions League Final. Lampard was the Player of the Season in 2005, the same year Chelsea won their first Premier League title in 50 years.

Chelsea's recent success can be owed to Lampard in a big way. He has created a stir on the international scene because he refuses to share the spotlight at times, but he is supremely talented.

Lampard's ability to play from box-to-box makes him a dangerous player to any side. Bayern Munich will have their hands full Saturday evening. 

Bayern Munich star Bastian Schweinsteiger had this to say about Lampard's impact on Saturday's final in an interview with tribalfootball.com:

"

It is very possible that Lampard and I will be in direct confrontation with each other on the pitch. I have huge respect for him. Everything he does in the game has an effective use, it’s always thought through. He’s similar to Xabi Alonso in that he plays with his eyes.

"

Schweinsteiger realizes Lampard's importance, as should everyone else.

Let's take a look at Lampard's game and why he is the key to Chelsea's Champions League title hopes.

Lampard's Skills

At times, Lampard seems to have eyes all the way around his head. He sees the entire pitch and understands the form and shape of Chelsea's attack.

Lampard's devastating vision is the motor moving the Blues' attack. Didier Drogba and Fernando Torres have a much easier job because of Lampard's ability to set the table. 

Lampard is also an electric goal-scoring threat. He is a threat to score at any time. Lampard keeps defenses off balance because of his dual-threat skills on offense.

Every great player creates space for himself with great body language or eye movement. 

Lampard's eyes make defenders cautious in the open field. He always has his head up and sees the field with stunning acuity. 

Another plus in Lampard's game is his work rate. Lampard's hard work does not have a slot on the stat sheet, but he works up and down the field with relentless intensity. Lampard gives unquestionable effort each minute of every game.

Lampard is a suspect defender because of his questionable open-field tackling ability. Against Bayern Munich's loaded offense this could create a problem for the Blues, especially with John Terry missing from the middle of Chelsea's defense. 

How Lampard Will Impact the Game

Bayern Munich's defense is in a bit of disarray with Holger Badstuber suspended. That means Rafinha will play right back and Philipp Lahm will move to left back. 

Expect Lampard to toy with Bayern Munich's new defensive alignment. Lampard will look to penetrate their defense with through passes and put pressure on them by chipping the ball behind the defense. 

Bayern Munich is favored because of Chelsea's three suspended starters. However, their midfield and strikers are almost solely offensive players.

Schweinsteiger is an attack-minded midfielder. Toni Kroos is as well. Mario Gomez, Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben are almost void of defensive ability as well.

All of that bodes well for Bayern Munich's attack, but not for their defense. 

That is where Lampard will have his impact, as long as Chelsea's defense can weather the storm.

Players of Lampard's quality can turn a game on its head. He is a dynamic presence in the open field, capable of hurting Bayern Munich in any way he sees fit.

The Blues have plenty of firepower on offense with Lampard running the show. Drogba, Torres and Salomon Kalou are all skilled players capable of finishing a dyamic set-up by Lampard. 

Chelsea enters Saturday's matchup as the unquestioned underdog. Lampard and the Blues' offense can change that mindset with one quick goal in front of the Allianz Arena crowd.

As if Lampard's skills were not enough to worry Bayern Munich Saturday evening, Lampard has something else to play for. 

Lampard's wrongly disallowed goal against Germany in the 2010 World Cup will be in the forefront of the attacking midfielder's mind the second he steps foot on the pitch. 

Superior skills plus a chip on Lampard's shoulder equal a surprising Blues' performance on Saturday evening.