Champions League

Marco Van Basten: Chelsea must attack

By Michael Penkman, Reporter | 29 April 2012

Marco Van Basten says that Chelsea must show more intention to attack if they are to beat Bayern Munich in the Champions League final.

Marco Van Basten hopes that Chelsea will try to play attacking football against Bayern Munich in the Champions League final.

The 47-year-old, who currently manages Eredivisie side Heerenveen, believes that the Blues have world class players that are capable of hurting the German giants.

Van Basten said that he understands why they played so defensively against Barcelona but believes that Roberto Di Matteo's men must now show more creativity going forward.

"Chelsea can win everyone over in the final, and leave a superb, lasting memory if they play attacking football," The Mirror quotes the Dutchman as saying. "I really hope they do.

"To a certain extent I can understand that it was necessary to play in a different way against Barcelona in the two legs of the semi-final. But both at Stamford Bridge and in the Nou Camp they never showed any real intention of wanting to create.

"Chelsea don't have to attack like mad to impress more. If you are forced to defend by an opponent, you defend – but you can still create things. And when they have the ball against Bayern, Chelsea must show intentions to go forward. They have some of the best players in the world."

The Champions League final takes place at the Allianz Arena on May 19.