Bayern Munich Coach Jupp Neynckes has been full praises for top Chelsea striker, Didier Drogba for his prowess on the field of play and for his scoring abilities.
Playing mind games ahead of the Champions League final which will be played at the Allianz Arena in Munich tomorrow, Hynckes said Drogba is an outstanding actor in the field of play despite skill and goal scoring ability.
As Chelsea are itching to clinch their first European title, it has however been decided that Drogba will be spearheading the Chelsea attack.
The 34-year-old Ivory Coast striker underlined his reputation as a big game player by scoring his eighth goal in eight appearances at Wembley to help beat Liverpool 2-1 in the FA Cup final earlier this month.
With a total of 33 Champions League goals to his credit, including the crucial winner in the semi-final first leg against Barcelona, Drogba knows how to put pressure on referees and Heynckes said his team must pay close attention to the powerful forward.
Heynckes openly admitted that Drogba is a dangerous player when it comes to goal scoring and he is not to be underestimated because he is one of the top strikers in the Premier League who do damage to a squad at any moment in the field of play.
Where there was but for the Bayern Munich coach was in terms acting in the field of play saying the Ivorien is an outstanding actor but sometimes he overdoes his acting.
He said his team will play and mark down all the players in the Blues squad and not focus specially on any player.
‘Focusing solely on Drogba would be a mistake with plenty of talent packed into the Chelsea ranks’.
The Blues will be without Captain John Terry, midfielders Raul Meireles, Ramires and defender Branislav Ivanovic, who are all suspended, but Heynckes is wary of their replacements.
Bayern are bidding to become the first team since Inter Milan in 1965 to win the European title in their own stadium and Munich is a sea of red and white flags as the Bavarian capital eagerly awaits seeing their heroes in action.
“The likes of (Juan) Mata, (Frank) Lampard, Daniel Sturridge and (Salomon) Kalou, all these players are at the top level, so it would be amiss to focus on just one player, Torres too, has improved enormously over the last few weeks, so it’s not just about Drogba.” said Heynckes.
Likewise, Bayern expect to have wing Arjen Robben fit, despite the Dutch winger only returning to training for 45 minutes on Thursday after struggling with a cold.
“He trained for 45 minutes yesterday and he should be able to play.”