UEFA Champions League Final 2012: Ranking Most Important Players to Watch

The outcome of the 2012 Champions League Final between Bayern Munich and Chelsea will come down to the performances of a few massively important players who cannot afford to play poorly or their club will lose.

This is the kind of match where legends are made, and players show their talents to millions of football fans watching from around the world.

Let's look rank the most important players in the Champions League final.

1. Mario Gomez and Didier Drogba

These two strikers will be hugely important in this game for obvious reasons. With both clubs missing several defensive-minded players for the final, there could be a lot of goals scored on Saturday.

Chelsea star Didier Drogba is clutch player who rarely fails to show up in important cup matches. He scored against Barcelona in the semifinal and the opening goal of the FA Cup Final earlier this month at Wembley.

With Chelsea likely to use a one-striker formation, the Ivorian needs to make sure he's in sync with the midfield, especially Frank Lampard. Drogba will also be one of the candidates to take free kicks in the attacking third.

Gomez is the Germans' most consistent attacking threat and has really improved this season. Munich has several playmaking midfielders who can set up the German striker with quality scoring chances, so it's up to him to make the most of them.

2. David Luiz and Gary Cahill

David Luiz and Gary Cahill appear healthy enough to play in the final, according to Soccernet, and their performance on defense could decide this game.

Keeping a clean sheet against the Munich attack will be very difficult, so this duo in the center of the Blues defense must not take risks with the ball or make lazy passes.

Neither of these two players have much European experience, so they must keep their composure and not take too many chances going forward or Munich will pounce on their mistakes.

3. Manuel Neuer and Petr Cech

The goalkeeping will be a major factor in this match. With both teams having starting defenders unavailable due to suspension, there could be many goal scoring opportunities at both ends throughout the game.

The first goal allowed will be a major factor in the match from an emotional standpoint.

Both Neuer and Cech have penalty shootout experience in the Champions League, so you can bet they won't be rattled if the the title is decided from six yards out. Cech was part of the 2008 Chelsea squad that lost the Champions League final on penalties against Manchester United.

The goalkeeper who plays better will lead his club to victory.

4. Frank Lampard and Bastian Schweinsteiger

With Terry missing in the final, Frank Lampard will probably wear the captain's band for Chelsea. His passing and control of the ball in the midfield will be crucial to the Chelsea attack.

With Munich missing defensive midfielder Gustavo, Lampard shouldn't have too much trouble bringing Chelsea into the attacking third of the pitch.

He will be opposed by German superstar and world-class player Bastian Schweinsteiger, who is the best young midfielder in the world.

Schweinsteiger's all-around talent as a playmaker, defender and an attacking player is amazing, and his role in the middle of the pitch will be key for Munich.

5. Ashley Cole

Ashley Cole will be the most experienced Chelsea defender in the final and will have the important task of defending one of the two Munich wingers, Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery.

Cole will have to win his matchup against the winger he defends or Cech will have to make more world-class saves than he would like.

Cole's defending and leadership at the back will be important to Chelsea's chances of keeping Munich off the score sheet.

6. Franck Ribery

The French winger will be an important attacking player for Munich against Chelsea because of his ability to fly down the wings and cut into the penalty box with a chance to score.

Ribery has never played in a Champions League final, so he will be very excited to prove himself on one of football's biggest stages.

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