This would be Chelsea’s first Champions League Final, and winning it would make them stand among the greats. More so, if they win it, they would be respected all over the world. That is what midfielder Claude Makelele believe. Makalele has played in 7 semi finals in the tournament and winning the championship once when he was in Real Madrid.

That experience will come in useful when he will bring onto the Moscow pitch against Manchester United. Back in 2002 when he was with the Madrid giants he said “Then Real Madrid were the best team in the world and it gave them more credit as a club. People look at winners and say: 'This is a big team.' I remember all the teams who came to play Real Madrid in the Champions League were scared. They knew that they would lose but they might lose by four or maybe six goals. It would be good to see Chelsea have this power. It is difficult winning it but it would be so good for the players as well as the club. To win this competition would give Chelsea a lot of credit throughout Europe because then all the teams on the continent would respect us more. It is a symbol of a big team throughout Europe and the world and it is a good sensation for a player.”

Country team mate Nicolas Anelka was also one of the players who have won the Champions League with Real Madrid, way 8 years back when they beat Valencia in the final. The new signing by Avram Grant during the January transfer window has yet to formalize his place at the front but will find that his experience might be useful come the finals with lone striker Didier Drogba voicing his interest to partner with the French striker.

The £15million striker said that “It is not frustrating, I am new in the club. The manager wants to play 4-5-1 and I have to stay on the bench. I don't know if I will start. You need to ask the manager. Even if I am on the bench, I will have a chance to play and I will do my best. I hope one day I will get the chance to play my position in a 4-4-2.”

On commenting about the upcoming fixture against Man United, Anelka said “Can we win it? Why not? It is going to be very difficult because Manchester United have many big players. In one game, anything is possible. We have beaten them. We are confident. It is going to be a good game and we can do the business. We know it is a big game because Chelsea have never been in the final before but at the same time we have to keep calm until the day. Everybody is looking forward to it. I have nice memories of the final because we (Real) won. It is a special game. There was a lot of pressure but it is good to play this type of game. This match will stay in everybody's memories and I hope I will be a champion again. All we think about is winning this game. We don't think about losing. We are very concentrated.”