Inter Milan vs Bayern Munich Preview

Wednesday the 23rd of February.  It gives me goosebumps, I imagine the same is with the rest of the Bayern fans.  Inter Milan vs Bayern Munich, revenge is going into the minds of the Bayern players but whether they will get it is another thing entirely, especially as it doesn't necessarily have to come on Wednesday.  Inter Milan did the unthinkable last season, won the treble while beating Bayern Munich in the final with the scoreline of 2-0.  Many things have changed since then, Mourinho in particular has left Inter Milan.  They are weaker defensively due to one of their star defenders being out for the season and even ex-Bayern player Lucio who is "doubtful", even though according to him "I will definitely make it vs Bayern".  Rafa Benitez replaced Mourinho and with ridiculous expectations, he failed and got fired.  His replacement Leonardo (not the blue Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle) has tried to make this Inter much different than the Inter Bayern played last year.  They are more about attacking, scoring goals and looking good.  Well, that seems to be the case in some matches and in other matches not so much but it's obvious it will take some time to adapt to Leonardo's style.  Milito has dropped in form dramatically and either way will miss the match due to an injury, however the biggest difference is Eto'o who looks unstoppable in many matches this season.  He dribbles, passes and scores at will and for my money along with Lucio if he makes, those two are the players that Bayern needs to worry most about.  Eto'o defensively as our defense just like last season seems suspect.  It has improved as there is no Daniel Van Buyten starting in the center but not by much.  Bayern on the other hand have several changes when you look at the starting line-up, even though they spent no money in the summer.  I mean after all when your team shows huge gaping holes last season in defense during Champions League over and over and over again in many matches, why would you want to improve that weakness just because you had a record revenue?

That man Eto'o, is the one to watch for

The back-line bar Lahm looks completely different.. well to be fair, it's looked different in almost every match but I will try to guess the right back 4 and keeper.  Breno, Buyten, Badstuber, Tymo, Kraft, Butt, Gustavo, Pranjic, Contento, Demichellis have all been rotated and made starters at one point of another.  Lahm has as usual played every single game because why would you get a player to let him rest once in a while, it's obvious that he is a robot that never gets tired even though his performance this season may have dropped compared to last season..  I should really stop with the sarcasm now, but I just can't help myself when I see Bayern FO and Van Gaal let these problems go the way they have.  Badstuber is no longer a left-back (thankfully), he starts at LCB and Tymoschuk who is a midfielder obviously partners him.  Van Gaal obviously has a plan and he thought why not turn another midfielder into a defender, and he did the same thing with buying Gustavo.  Kraft has replaced Butt as the number keeper, the difference between the two isn't drastic enough to bother comparing though I suspect his lack of experience is definitely a minus.  In midfield, Van Bommel ex-captain has left and it's likely Pranjic partners Schweini.  Kroos is likely to come on for the 2nd half to take over for Pranjic, as he is likely the long-term starter and partner for Schweinsteiger.  No more Olic, as he is out for the season.  Now Mario Gomez starts and has scored 27 goals this season.  There are reports  with Van Gaal stating that Gomez might miss the match due to an injury which was not apparent at all vs Mainz.  Perhaps I am being hopeful here, but I believe he is simply playing mind games with the young Inter coach.  As much as I like Klose, this isn't a match to test if he's still got it or not.

Riibery, was he the missing link that Bayern 

needed in last year's final?

Either way, this match is hard to predict.  Inter have looked good in some matches and ok in other matches, so you don't know what to expect.  The champions won't back down though and they are on home turf.  Bayern have started to gain some form since around mid-December and especially the past few matches with Ribery and Robben being re-united, they have looked at least attack wise, very very dangerous.  Ribery in particular looks to be doing his best to get back to the old Ribery that many Bayern fans fell in love with, getting 2 assists vs Hoffenheim and playing outstanding and my MOTM vs Mainz.  He got no goals or assists, but he was a danger and part of many attacks, he also had an outstanding 81% of his tackles won, 22 of his 27 challenges.  He was everywhere in defense and attack.  If I were a betting man (I'm not), I would probably put my money on Ribery being the player to watch for Bayern.  Yes if Gomez makes it, he will be hard to contain, Muller has gotten into some fine form, Robben is being Robben and Schweini is passing as well as you would want him, but I think Ribery feels the most "guilty" of the attacking bunch to make a point.  After all, he did get the red card and missed the final, which he was needed considering how useless Altintop and his pass-back ability was all match.  Eto'o and/or Lucio for Inter would be the players Bayern will have to watch out for & Ribery for Bayern.  Either way if Gomez does make it and is fit to start, I don't think this Inter team will be able to contain Robbery & Co. from scoring at least one.  However I believe Inter will definitely also score on Bayern, as Eto'o seems in great form this season and Sneijder is due a super pass or two.  There is only so much a defender in poor form, 2 midfielders turned into defenders and a young little rookie in goal can do against such great players.  I want a revenge, though I would lying if I said I wouldn't take a scoring tie in Milan at the moment.  1-1 would be my preferred result, 2-2 would be even better.  Either way, that is what I think will happen but no one can guess what can happen in a Champions League match like this.  Bayern got the toughest draw for the round of 16 and a revenge ticket with it.  Lets see if they take it..