Bookmaker: Olympusbet
Nearly a decade and a part after clashing within the 2009/10 Champions League last, Bundesliga frontrunners Bayern Munich and reigning Serie A champions Inter Milan renew hostilities for a place on this yr’s semifinals, starting place with Tuesday’s quarterfinal first leg at the Allianz Arena.
Vincent Kompany’s aspect booked their vicinity within the final 8 via overcoming fellow German outfit Bayer Leverkusen, even as the Nerazzurri brought Feyenoord’s continental marketing campaign to an cease in the outdated circular.
Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich’s revenge mission opposed to Bayer Leverkusen is midway accomplished. Not simply do they preserve a commanding lead over ultimate season’s invincible champions on the Bundesliga summit, however additionally they emphatically dumped Die Werkself out of Europe, cruising to a five-0 combination victory within the Champions League last 16 – claiming a three-zero win at residence ahead of sealing the maintain a 2-0 achievement away.
That consequence noticed the Bavarians achieve the Champions League sector-finals for a document-extending 23rd time, and for the sixth consecutive marketing campaign. In assertion, Bayern are the solely staff to have reached correct fixed matches the closing 8 in every adaptation because 2019-20 – coincidentally, the last time they lifted the recognized trophy – strengthened by a great 22-healthy unbeaten streak in UCL dwelling video games on the Allianz Arena.
Still alive of their pursuit of a Bundesliga and Champions League double, Bayern warmed up for Inter’s consult with with a three-1 triumph at Augsburg on Friday evening, retaining their six-aspect cushion over Leverkusen and relocating ever closer to reclaiming the household crown.
Team News
However, that win got here at a charge. Star playmaker Jamal Musiala sustained a torn muscle it truly is envisioned to preserve him out for the the rest of the season – a immense blow to their innovative firepower towards a resilient Inter rearguard. In his absence, Vincent Kompany is envisioned to show to veteran Thomas Müller, who is set to conclusion his decorated Bayern occupation this summer time however would enjoy one remaining run in the beginning XI.
The hosts’ damage woes don’t stop there. Alphonso Davies and Dayot Upamecano have either succumbed to extreme knee worries, at the same time as Kingsley Coman (unspecified) and Manuel Neuer (calf) continue to be in doubt; Neuer principally is thought about a first-rate lengthy shot for Tuesday’s clash.
On a extra high-quality observe, Harry Kane, who become the 1st English participant to web 10 dreams in a unmarried Champions League crusade, deserve to be more healthy to start out, having downplayed problems after being spotted with an ice p.c. on his ankle following Friday’s event.
Inter Milan
While Bayern Munich have dazzled within the closing third with 28 Champions League goals this season – 2nd basically to Barcelona’s 32 – Inter Milan have outfitted their European crusade on defensive steel, conceding simply twice in 10 fits. One of these dreams got here through a Jakub Moder penalty within the final 16, but it had little bearing, as Marcus Thuram and Hakan Calhanoglu struck to seal a snug 4-1 combination win over Feyenoord.
Inter, still chasing their first Champions League crown considering famously toppling Bayern in the 2010 last, have made their presence felt with a string of defensive masterclasses below Simone Inzaghi. However, their backline was uncharacteristically leaky in Saturday’s Serie A clash with Parma, wherein a 2-zero lead slipped away in a 2-2 draw – threatening to limit their gap at the summit to just one element needs to Napoli win on Monday.
That consequence persevered a shaky spell of away type, because the Nerazzurri have solely triumphed in two in their remaining 8 highway video games in all competitions. Their current meetings with Bayern also supply little comfort, having misplaced 2-0 either house and away at some stage in the 2022/23 team stage.
Team News
Inter’s mini-crumple at Parma coincided with Alessandro Bastoni’s early withdrawal by reason of a knee harm, despite the fact that the Italy worldwide is estimated to get well in time for the travel to Munich. However, Inzaghi will ought to cope devoid of countless key names: Mehdi Taremi (muscle), Piotr Zielinski (calf), and Denzel Dumfries (thigh) are all dominated out, even as Kristjan Asllani is suspended because of yellow card accumulation.
With each Zielinski and Asllani lacking, Davide Frattesi is in line to fit into midfield along Calhanoglu and Henrikh Mkhitaryan, supporting the dynamic strike duo of Thuram and captain Lautaro Martinez as Inter look to stun the German giants on their personal turf.
Conclusion
Tuesday’s clash guarantees to be a appealing come across between Bayern’s relentless attack and Inter’s disciplined defence.
Injuries and suspensions may without a doubt power equally Kompany and Inzaghi to tweak their blueprints, but even without the flair of Musiala pulling the strings, Bayern nevertheless boast sufficient firepower – led by Harry Kane and the ingenious Michael Olise – to carve out a slim first-leg improvement and head to San Siro with momentum on their part.
Verdict: Home win