The 2010 Champions league finals is finally here, with Inter Milan and Bayern Munich facing each other this Saturday, May 22, 2010 at the Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid. Who do you think will win?

The two clubs, champions in their own domestic leagues, overcame major obstacles on their way to the Finals. Inter Milan eliminated Chelsea, and they also demolished the reigning European and Spanish Champion, Barcelona. Bayern Munich, on the other hand, upset 2008 champion Manchester United and eliminated French giant Lyon in the semis. Both teams are also chasing a historic treble – Inter winning the Scudetto and the Copa Italia while Bayern topped the Bundesliga and captured the German Cup.

The Managers

“…I think I educated him a little…” said Louis Van Gaal on Jose Mourinho. The latter was his assistant in Barcelona many years ago. “He trains to win. I train to play beautiful football and win. My way is more difficult,” Van Gaal added.

Van Gaal, the Bayern manager, is one of the most successful managers in Europe, having winning stints in Barcelona and Ajax. He also claims to play ‘beautiful football’, where the team plays a fluid game.

Mourinho, on the other hand, claimed to be the ‘Special One’ when he arrived in England after a successful stint at FC Porto. He is a master of the physical and psychological aspects of the game. His team can play very tough defense, but they can also score goals. Though proponents of ‘beautiful football’ brandished his style as bland and ugly, fans think that winning is more important. The Portuguese, while at Chelsea, won trophies one after another, raised the bar of English football, but still without the Champions league trophy. Now at Inter, everyone expected him to bring the European trophy too, because the domestic league is already a regular in their collections.

The two differs in football philosophy. One is entertaining, the other is about winning.

Match Preview

Bayern has in its fold excellent players who can pass, run and score goals. The Dutch Manager may rely more on his Dutch player, Arjen Robben. If fit, Robben can wreck havoc, like what he did against Manchester United and Lyon. Olic is one guy who can score plenty of goals too. And if their fluid football goes into play, they can produce plenty of goals. In their last three games, the team scored a total of 10 goals, while limiting the opponent to 2.

Inter Milan has its own potent players too. Eto’o, despite not having the form he once had while in Barcelona, is a dangerous man in front of the goal. Add Diego Milito up front and it will be raining goals for Inter. In their last three games though, they only scored 7, while conceding 3. In the game at Nou Camp against Barcelona, Inter defended with only ten men. Their impenetrable defense frustrated the home team as they were short of a goal to progress.

Bayern is expected to attack while Inter will defend and counter. Physical strength and quickness in the counter are on the Italians side.

Inter vs Bayern Results Prediction

Bayern will be without Franck Ribery in the midfield while Inter will miss the services of Thiago Motta. There is no doubt that both teams have excellent managers. Robben will once again flash his brilliance in the field – something to the envy of his former manager Mourinho. But Milito and Eto’o will produce for the Nerrazzuri. Inter will frustrate Bayern 2-1.

Update:

Inter wins. Score is 2-0 courtesy of Diego Milito.

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