Chelsea must repeat tactics from semi-final against Bayern Munich, says former manager Ruud Gullit

Former Blues manager claims 'rope-a-dope' plan can work again against attacking 'home' side

Ruud Gullit, ex-Chelsea manager: 'It is no surprise Robbie has become a good manager. He was an organiser on the pitch' (Getty Images)

Ruud Gullit believes Chelsea can win the Champions League final tomorrow night by repeating the "rope-a-dope" tactics they used against Barcelona in the semi-final. But victory against Bayern Munich, he thinks, might scare off Roman Abramovich's manager-in-waiting.

"If there is someone in line, and I think there is," said Gullit, "would he want the job if Chelsea win it? He can't do better. Say it is Jose Mourinho, would he want it? There is a lot of pressure on you then."

Gullit managed Chelsea from 1996 to 1998, during which time he signed current interim manager Roberto Di Matteo. "I'm not surprised he has become a good manager," said Gullit. "He was an organiser on the pitch. If you are a midfielder you need to think about defence and attack, you need to orchestrate. He was always in control.

"When he took over he started with the defence, he organised that first. That is like doing the foundations of house first. When they felt solid at the back then he thought about attacking. And he played with the best players, that is why they are winning."

Gullit, twice a winner of the competition as a player with Milan, believes Chelsea will win in Munich, but added: "I'm afraid it will be a boring game. Chelsea will do the same thing as in Barcelona: be very compact and wait for the right moment. Because Bayern are at home they will want to attack, Robbie will play from the defence.

"There's no shame in how they played against Barcelona. No team outplays Barça, Barça had to find solutions, not Chelsea." Referring to Muhammad Ali's 1974 world heavyweight boxing title victory over the bigger-punching George Foreman in the Rumble in the Jungle, Gullit added: "It was rope-a-dope, it was clever, and if Ali could do it, why not Chelsea?"

Ruud Gullit will be in Munich as part of Sky Sports' team covering the Uefa Champions League final. Live on Sky Sports HD1 from 6pm

Ruud's rumbles: Key confrontations

Ashley Cole v Arjen Robben

I am expecting a big performance from Robben and it is going to be an interesting clash with Cole who is one of the best left-backs around. Robben may feel Chelsea were a little hasty letting him go and want to prove them wrong, but Cole has coped with big challenges before.

Jose Bosingwa/Paulo Ferreira v Franck Ribéry

Chelsea have a problem defensively at right-back with Branislav Ivanovic suspended. Ribéry will need no second invitation to exploit it. He is a very clever player, very dangerous, and he could have an advantage whether it is Bosingwa or Ferreira he is up against.

Didier Drogba v Jérôme Boateng

Drogba knows this is his last chance to win a Champions League final and he wants to make it happen. He wants it badly and will be a handful for Boateng. Chelsea can win because of Drogba. If he is in shape, they have a good chance, they can go forward.

Gary Cahill v Mario Gomez

Gomez is an underestimated player. He's a big guy, clever, a very good finisher and a very effective spearhead for Bayern. I admire him a lot. Gary Cahill has done well since moving to Chelsea but, if he is fit and starts the match, this will be an enormous challenge for him.