All Europe turns its eyes to the Allianz Area on Tuesday as Bayern Munich and Inter go head-to-head within the first leg of their blockbuster Champions League quarter-final tie. Each groups are on the verge of conquering their home championships, however climbing to the continent’s throne stands extremely on their precedence checklist.
Bayern Munich inched ever nearer to dethroning Bayer Leverkusen within the Bundesliga with a 3-1 win at Augsburg final Friday. Vincent Kompany’s fees preserved a six-point cushion on the desk’s summit and maintained a feel-good issue forward of this heavyweight showdown.
Not since lifting the crown in 2020 have the Bavarians contested the grand last, with three of their final 4 Champions League campaigns hitting a brick wall at this hurdle. Due to this fact, the Germans should overcome a psychological barrier to get previous Inter and are available inside hanging distance of successful the double in Kompany’s first 12 months within the dugout.
Like their hosts, Simone Inzaghi’s males stay in rivalry on a number of fronts, vying for a primary ‘treble’ since 2010 below Jose Mourinho. Three factors away from runners-up Napoli in Serie A, Inter are doubtlessly 90 minutes away from reaching the Coppa Italia showpiece following a 1-1 first-leg attract a titanic semi-final tie in opposition to Milan.
Nonetheless, Inter’s excellent home exploits pale compared to their continental dream. The reigning Scudetto holders are eager to make amends for a 2023 heartbreak in opposition to Manchester Metropolis and convey dwelling solely the fourth European Cup/Champions League title.
Match Preview
Bayern Munich
As aforementioned, Bayern Munich’s current European runs have typically crumbled at this stage. They’d misplaced three consecutive quarter-final ties earlier than overcoming Arsenal final season, just for eventual winners Actual Madrid to beat them within the semis. Due to this fact, current historical past doesn’t favor the Bavarians.
Nonetheless, Kompany’s fees have been a power to be reckoned with in Munich, going unbeaten throughout their final 22 dwelling outings within the Champions League (W17, D5). Ominously for the house trustworthy, Bayern Munich’s most up-to-date European loss on this floor got here within the 2021 quarter-final first leg in opposition to Paris Saint-Germain.
Regardless of current quarter-final setbacks, Bayern Munich boast a decent-looking 62% win ratio throughout 34 historic appearances at this stage of the competitors (W21, L13). They’ll draw additional confidence from successful three of their final 4 aggressive dwelling matches (L1), netting 3+ targets in every victory.
Inter
As Italy’s solely remaining consultant within the Champions League, Inter should address a big burden as they goal to defend Serie A’s dignity after Atalanta, Juventus, and Milan all crashed out of Europe’s high desk. Nonetheless, the historical past books paint a bleak image for the Italians.
Inter have did not make it out of the quarter-final stage in 4 of their seven appearances within the Champions League period. Moreover, they’ve stuttered on German soil, as most not too long ago witnessed by a slim 1-0 defeat at Bayer Leverkusen on this season’s league part.
That outcome added to Inter’s underwhelming away document in opposition to Bundesliga opposition (W6, D8, L9), highlighting the dimensions of the duty awaiting Inzaghi’s facet this midweek. Inzaghi himself laments a torrid document in opposition to Bayern Munich, dropping all 4 managerial duels.
As if that’s not troubling sufficient, his facet on the day conceded a number of occasions in every fixture.
Group Information
Harm-hit Bayern Munich head into proceedings with out a number of first-team stars. Jamal Musiala, Dayot Upamecano, and Alphonso Davies are unavailable for choice. On high of that, Manuel Neuer and Kingsley Coman are usually not totally match and should not even make the bench.
In the meantime, Inter can not name upon the providers of Denzel Dumfries, Piotr Zielinski, and Mehdi Taremi. They’re all out with accidents, whereas Kristjan Asllani should serve a one-game ban for gathered yellow playing cards. Alessandro Bastoni needs to be prepared regardless of sustaining a minor damage throughout Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Parma.
Bayern Munich vs Inter Potential Beginning Line-ups
Bayern Munich (4-2-3-1): Urbig; Laimer, Kim, Dier, Guerreiro; Palhinha, Kimmich; Olise, Muller, Sane; Kane.
Inter (3-5-2): Sommer; Acerbi, Bisseck, Bastoni; Darmian, Calhanoglu, Frattesi, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Thuram, Martinez.
Bayern Munich vs Inter Prediction
Inter’s well-documented defensive resilience might be key to avoiding an undesirable lead to Munich in opposition to considered one of Europe’s most formidable attacking sides. Due to this fact, Inzaghi’s doubtlessly conservative strategy shouldn’t catch followers abruptly.
A low-scoring affair might be in retailer, however Harry Kane & Co ought to take a first-leg lead into the return leg at Giuseppe Meazza.
Prediction: Bayern Munich to Win
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