Bookmaker: Olympusbet
Nearly a decade and a 1/2 after clashing in the 2009/10 Champions League closing, Bundesliga frontrunners Bayern Munich and reigning Serie A champions Inter Milan renew hostilities for a gap in this 12 months’s semifinals, foundation with Tuesday’s quarterfinal first leg at the Allianz Arena.
Vincent Kompany’s area booked their vicinity in the last eight by overcoming fellow German outfit Bayer Leverkusen, even as the Nerazzurri brought Feyenoord’s continental marketing campaign to an finish in the old circular.
Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich’s revenge project against Bayer Leverkusen is halfway complete. Not handiest do they dangle a commanding lead over closing season’s invincible champions at the Bundesliga summit, but additionally they emphatically dumped Die Werkself out of Europe, cruising to a 5-zero mixture victory inside the Champions League ultimate 16 – claiming a three-0 win at dwelling house before sealing the care for a 2-zero fulfillment away.
That influence saw the Bavarians succeed in the Champions League zone-finals for a report-extending twenty third time, and for the 6th consecutive crusade. In reality, Bayern are the in simple terms crew to have reached the final eight in every adaptation because 2019-20 – coincidentally, the final time they lifted the favourite trophy – bolstered with the aid of a brilliant 22-in shape unbeaten streak in UCL domicile games on the Allianz Arena.
Still alive of their pursuit of a Bundesliga and Champions League double, Bayern warmed up for Inter’s visit with a three-1 triumph at Augsburg on Friday evening, protecting their six-level cushion over Leverkusen and moving ever in the direction of reclaiming the family crown.
Team News
However, that win came at a cost. Star playmaker Jamal Musiala sustained a torn muscle that's anticipated to save him out for the the rest of the season – a wide blow to their ingenious firepower in opposition to a resilient Inter rearguard. In his absence, Vincent Kompany is envisioned to turn to veteran Thomas Müller, who's set to give up his embellished Bayern career this summer but could have fun with one closing run in the commencing XI.
The hosts’ damage woes don’t quit there. Alphonso Davies and Dayot Upamecano have the two succumbed to critical knee subject matters, even though Kingsley Coman (unspecified) and Manuel Neuer (calf) continue to be uncertain; Neuer chiefly is thought of a massive lengthy shot for Tuesday’s clash.
On a greater high quality be aware, Harry Kane, who grew to become the first English participant to net 10 pursuits in a unmarried Champions League marketing campaign, ought to be fit to begin, having downplayed problems after being noticed with an ice p.c. on his ankle following Friday’s in shape.
Inter Milan
While Bayern Munich have dazzled within the ultimate 3rd with 28 Champions League desires this season – 2nd best to Barcelona’s 32 – Inter Milan have developed their European crusade on protective metal, conceding just twice in 10 fits. One of these dreams came via a Jakub Moder penalty in the remaining 16, yet it had little bearing, as Marcus Thuram and Hakan Calhanoglu struck to seal a snug four-1 mixture win over Feyenoord.
Inter, nonetheless chasing their first Champions League crown on the grounds that famously toppling Bayern in the 2010 ultimate, have made their presence felt with a string of defensive masterclasses beneath Simone Inzaghi. However, their backline turned into uncharacteristically leaky in Saturday’s Serie A conflict with Parma, the place a 2-0 lead slipped away in a 2-2 draw – threatening to lessen their gap at the summit to simply one point must Napoli win on Monday.
That outcome continued a shaky spell of away form, because the Nerazzurri have solely triumphed in two of their ultimate 8 road games in all competitions. Their latest meetings with Bayern also provide little convenience, having misplaced 2-0 equally dwelling house and away during the 2022/23 workforce degree.
Team News
Inter’s mini-fall down at Parma coincided with Alessandro Bastoni’s early withdrawal thanks to a knee damage, although the Italy international is expected to improve in time for the go back and forth to Munich. However, Inzaghi will have to cope with out quite a few key names: Mehdi Taremi (muscle), Piotr Zielinski (calf), and Denzel Dumfries (thigh) are all ruled out, even though Kristjan Asllani is suspended on account of yellow card accumulation.
With both Zielinski and Asllani missing, Davide Frattesi is in line to fit into midfield alongside Calhanoglu and Henrikh Mkhitaryan, supporting the dynamic strike duo of Thuram safe fixed matches and captain Lautaro Martinez as Inter appear to stun the German giants on their own turf.
Conclusion
Tuesday’s conflict delivers to be a charming bump into between Bayern’s relentless attack and Inter’s disciplined defence.
Injuries and suspensions may perhaps primarily drive the two Kompany and Inzaghi to tweak their blueprints, but even with out the aptitude of Musiala pulling the strings, Bayern nevertheless boast ample firepower – led with the aid of Harry Kane and the ingenious Michael Olise – to carve out a slim first-leg skills and head to San Siro with momentum on their aspect.
Verdict: Home win