Inter Milan-Bayern Munich is a match valid for the first day of the group stage of the Champions League and is played on Wednesday at 21:00
Barcelona and Bayern Munich are two teams that awaken particularly positive memories for the Nerazzurri fans, whose minds can only go back to that extraordinary spring of 2010, the year of the mythological Triplete with José Mourinho on the bench. It was precisely the Blaugrana and the Bavarians, in the semi-final and final respectively, who stood between Inter and the third Champions League in its history, lifted more than forty years after the last success on the magical night in Madrid.
Today, however, their names sound more sinister than ever: Simone Inzaghi’s team could not have been given a worse draw, as they are now forced to finish ahead of at least one of the two giants in order to snatch a pass to the next stage and avoid relegation to the Europa League. While Barcelona make their debut against what will most likely be the group’s bottom team, Viktoria Plzen, Inter start with a bang by hosting the reigning German champions at the San Siro. There are points at stake which, inevitably, could already be decisive in terms of qualification.
An already crucial match for the Nerazzurri
The Germans are the undisputed favourites for first place, although in the last two days of the Bundesliga they have pulled the handbrake a little – double consecutive draws against Borussia Monchengladbach and Union Berlin – after a blazing start. The number of goals scored by Julian Nagelsmann’s battleship is significant (already 27, including the Super Cup and German Cup matches), confirming an attack that does not seem to be affected by Lewandowski’s departure. Lautaro Martinez and his teammates, on the other hand, will have to erase the bitter disappointment of last Saturday’s derby against AC Milan, in which they were relegated by their Rossoneri rivals. Inter crumbled after going ahead through Brozovic, conceding goals from Leao (two) and Giroud.
Dzeko then tried to restore parity (3-2) but there was nothing they could do. The defence continues to creak – only one clean sheet so far for Inzaghi – and it does not only do so in direct clashes, both lost (Lazio and Milan). The Emilia coach will not be able to count on the injured Lukaku, instead Nagelsmann will field the best possible eleven.
De Ligt and Mané
The Prediction
The last precedent was in the hands of Inter Milan, who eliminated Bayern Munich in 2011 in a thrilling and eventful double-header in the round of 16. On the other hand, the Bavarians have won three times at the San Siro, better than they did at home against the Nerazzurri. Inzaghi’s men will want to redeem the derby defeat, but the chances of a positive result are slim, all the more so considering the defensive problems that have emerged in this first part of the season. It will in any case be a hard-fought match, in which both sides should score.
The likely line-up for Inter v Bayern Munich
- INTER (3-5-2): Handanovič; Škriniar, de Vrij, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Brozović, Çalhanoğlu, Gosens; Lautaro Martínez, Džeko.
- BAYERN MONACO (4-2-3-1): Neuer; Pavard, de Ligt, Hernández, Davies; Kimmich, Sabitzer; Müller, Gnabry, Coman; Mané.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-2
