UEFA Champions League Final 2012: Why Petr Cech Is Biggest X-Factor

The two teams battling for the Champions League trophy aren’t as far apart as most people think.

Sure, Chelsea enters the match as the underdog against mighty Bayern Munich, but the Blues have an ace up their sleeve.

They have Petr Cech.

The goalie has been a staple of the organization since 2004, and at the age of 29 will remain on board for a very long time.

What you have to love about Cech is his height. At 6’5’’, he can reach every shot that comes in his direction and routinely pulls off jaw-dropping saves. He has outstanding agility, is a world-class athlete and enters the championship oozing with confidence.

He will need it against a team that even Cech believes should be favored (via ESPN):

"

It's a final and you would think that the chances are 50-50, but to play at your own stadium and have your own dressing room is a huge advantage.

"

The home-field advantage certainly helps, but he’s obviously trying to avoid giving his opponent any material that would give them extra motivation.

In reality, being the heavy favorite places all of the pressure on Bayern Munich’s shoulders—they are expected to win.

Mario Gomez is supposed to score a goal. Franck Ribery is supposed to be causing all kinds of havoc on offense. But what if they can’t sneak one by the veteran Cech? If the Blues snare a one-goal advantage at the half, at what point does Bayern begin to panic?

On paper this game should be a breeze, but time and time again paper has lied. If the Blues can push the tempo and steal an early goal, the longer Bayern goes without scoring the higher the panic meter rises.

As long as Cech keeps them off the board early, the entire dynamic of this match is going to swing in Chelsea's favor.

It’s going to be a thrilling match that will surely come down to the waning minutes, and if Cech brings his best effort…his team will walk away victorious.

Don’t pencil in Bayern Munich for the win just yet. 

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