Champions League Final Preview—FC Bayern Munich Vs Inter Milan

Date: 22nd May

Venue: Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid

Except for the most optimistic of Bayern and Inter fans, nobody expected to see these two giants of European football meet in the final. So, do these two teams deserve to be in the final?—Of course they do.

Match Background

The team spirit of Bayern and Inter is unique; Bayern came back from 2-0 and 3-0 down to progress further in the competition, and Inter snatched an aggregate win from the jaws of defeat against Barcelona.

These two teams however remain underestimated in Europe. Bayern have won four European crowns; yet they are no longer considered a "giant" of European football.

Some scorelines predicted by various people in the media suggest that Bayern will not score; Inter might have a tough defence—yet how can a team which hasn't failed to score in any match in any competition since November suddenly stop scoring in the most important match in their season?

Inter are indirectly said to be in the final only because of Jose Mourinho. In fact, all the focus seems to be on the Portuguese prior to the final and his apparent move to Real Madrid. So, apparently it was Jose Mourinho who scored a lovely goal against CSKA Moscow in the quarter finals and not Wesley Sneijder.

Jose Mourinho isn't even playing mind games. A few comments from Arjen Robben and Louis Van Gaal are thus being translated into anti-Jose comments when they are just foot-notes of interviews.

The Battle for Coefficients

This European final is a lot more than Mourinho, Louis Van Gaal, and Real Madrid. It's not even about Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder. It's a fight between two forgotten European giants; it's also a fight between two countries: Italy and Germany.

All of Germany, including fans of Borussia Dortmund, Bayer Leverkusen, and Schalke, as well as supporters of the Bundesliga will all be rooting for Bayern.  Supporters of AC Milan and AS Roma will be rooting for Inter. The fourth Champions League spot is up for grabs, and Inter need to win the final to take it for Italy. A Bayern win will give the spot to Germany. If the match goes to penalties, the spot will automatically go to Germany.

A Small Slice of History

Mourinho and Van Gaal will try to become only the third manager in history to win two European Cups. Ironically, the only two men to have done this in history were associated with German teams. Whilst Ernst Happel won his second title with Hamburg, Ottmar Hitzfeld won both titles with German clubs—Borussia Dortmund in 1997, and Bayern in 2001.

Bayern last lifted the trophy in 2001 while Inter last lifted the trophy in 1965. Bayern won their other three trophies in 1974, 1975, and 1976. Inter won their other trophy in 1964.

Team News and Probable Line-ups.

For the final, both Thiago Motta and Franck Ribery are suspended. Both Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben are expected to play rather than watch from the medical table.

Motta's place in the line-up will perhaps be taken by Dejan Stankovic, and Ribery's place will most probably be taken by Altintop. The last time these two teams met was in a friendly in 2008. Inter won 1-0.

Bayern: Jorg-Butt; Badstuber, Van Buyten, Demichelis, Lahm; Altintop, Van Bommel, Schweinsteiger, Robben; Olic, Muller.

Inter: Cesar; Zanetti, Lucio, Samuel Maicon; Cambiasso, Snejider, Stankovic; Pandec, Eto'o, Milito.

Current Form

Bayern and Inter have been doing what they do best, win. Bayern and Inter in recent weeks won their domestic League and Cup competitions. Bayern did it more emphatically than Inter though; Bayern beat Werder Bremen 4-0 in the German Cup final, and won the Bundesliga with one game to spare with a  3-1 win over VfL Bochum. They finished their campaign with a 3-1 win against Berlin, a game in which Mourinho was in attendance.

Inter beat Siena 1-0 on the final day to claim the Seria A title and beat Roma 1-0 to claim the Italian Cup. Both goals came from the magical boots of Diego Milito.

A Few Quotes

Bastian Schweinsteiger:

"We have a positive attitude."

The atmosphere is great within the team. Every player knows that we can achieve something historic; we can become the first team from Germany to win the treble so every one of us can't wait to play, and win, this final. We had a great evening [at the German Cup final] in Berlin and I assume it will be an even greater evening on Saturday."

"Inter are very good at the back, but they also have players up front who can decide the game even if they have only two or three chances. That's what makes them dangerous."

Mark Van Bommel:

"Inter have a very strong team and they deserve to be in the final. They are very compact and aren't just defensive; they are very strong going forward too. We saw against Barcelona that their defence was very good; they almost played the whole [second leg] in their own half, but here they are. We will try to attack, but in every game Inter have shown they have a good team as a whole – not just in defence."

Lucio:

"In such a final everything can happen. Bayern are a great team and they have done brilliantly to get to the final," he added.

"[Louis] Van Gaal has done a great job, and has brought through some great new players. Robben and Olic are on great form. We need to be aware that the whole team is on such great form."

Prediction

In the semi-final second leg, I couldn't predict a scoreline. Bayern and Inter are both very good sides. One has a better defence, while the other has a better offence. Both sides are mentally strong.

Most people have Inter booked as favourites. Bayern however, have Mourinho's teacher at the helm this season, Louis Van Gaal. Bayern may not be favourites for this one, but they should not be counted out at the opponent's own peril.

I will once again not predict a scoreline.

"Never count the Germans out." Inter and every Inter supporter can count out Bayern and their Dutchmen at their own peril.