Champions League
Bayern Munich fans all over the world had a hard night to sleep on the eve of 22nd May 2010, when they were denied an unprecedented treble, and the crown that would name them the champions of Europe by now Real Madrid Manager, Jose Mourinho’s Inter Milan as they went on to win the historic treble. Losing in a final is always tough, and a Champions League final makes it all the tougher.
8th December 2010: Bayern Munich fans wait in anticipation as whom they face in the pre-quarters of the ‘mother of all competitions’ and whom they are handed a familiar draw as the vice-champions of Europe face the Champions. Only one of them will be able to go through, both know it won’t be easy, one thing is for sure it’s going to be Epic.
Both the teams began the season with a slump in form, not being able to build on to last season’s magic and have suffered domestically. Since the winter break though things look good for the two historic clubs, with key players coming back from injury, it is just the right time for a mighty face of with only one making it to the last eight of the competition.
Both the teams didn’t indulge in heavy summer transfer activity, but a poor mid-season meant re-enforcements needed to be bought in with Inter Milan bringing in Giampalo Pazzini from Sampdoria, Andrea Ranocchia and Houssine Kharja from Genoa and and Yuto Nagatomo on loan from Cesena. Pazzini has been in stupendous form, but won’t be playing any part in the clash as he is cup-tied having featured in the early stages of the competition for sampdoria , Future Italian prospect David Santon and Sulley Muntari have left the club on loan to Cesena and Sunderland respectively. The super trio of Inter – Diego Milito, Wesley Sneijder, and Lucio out for the clash with injury, the latter is having a slight chance of featuring in the game. Inter will be battling their demons coming into this game.
Plagued with injury problems, the Bavarians have had a tough season ahead of them, but the fans will be counting their luck, as for the first time the record German champions have a full strength squad ahead of the clash with only Ivica Olic being the long-term absentee. Bayern too spent in the market bringing in the highly rated utility man Luis Gustavo from 1899 Hoffenheim. They also have seen a lot of players leave the club in the winter transfer window, first choice center back of seven years left his dream club in search of more playing time to try his luck with relegation battlers Malaga CF and Dutch Misfit Edson Braafheid and top Austrian prospect joining fellow league counter parts 1899 Hoffenheim on loan with the latter a part of the Gustavo deal joining the club on loan till the end of the season. Then Bayern skipper Mark van Bommel also left the club to join Inter’s neighbouring rivals Milan after having feuds with the head coach Louis van Gaal, no starting place guaranteed for him after the rise of Ukranian stalwart Anatoliy Tymoschuk and Toni Kroos. Diego Contento, Toni Kroos have returned from injury and Kroos in all probability will start the game in holding role alongside, Bastian Schweinsteiger. But the Biggest threat to the game will come from the attacking quartet of Robben-Muller-Ribery-Gomez who has been prolific and pleasing to the eye this season.
Bavarians start this game as slight favorites, but the game is not won until it is. With so much talent on show, one thing is for sure Football will come out the winner.
Don’t miss this clash of the titans on 24th February 2011, 00:30 AM.
Tags: Bayern Munich, Champions League, Europe, Football, Inter Milan, Thomas Muller
