Chelsea plays for high stakes in Champions

By GRAHAM DUNBAR

AP Sports Writer

Associated Press Sports

updated 12:37 p.m. ET May 18, 2012

MUNICH (AP) - Chelsea is playing for a place in European soccer history as well as next season's competition when it meets Bayern Munich on Saturday in the Champions League final.

After nine straight seasons among Europe's elite, Chelsea's sixth-place finish in the Premier League means its only entry to next season's Champions League is as title holder.

The price of defeat is therefore higher. Chelsea can ill afford to lose Champions League income of more than $63 million this season as European soccer's financial fair-play rules begin to bite.

Life will be easier for all at Chelsea next season if it becomes Europe's champion club for the first time. But in Bayern Munich it is facing a four-time winner that playing at home.

? 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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Chelsea plays for high stakes in Champions

MUNICH (AP) - Chelsea is playing for a place in European soccer history as well as next season's competition when it meets Bayern Munich on Saturday in the Champions League final.

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