Inter Milan find themselves on an unexpected quest to replicate their historic treble as the Serie A champions prepare to face Bayern Munich, the very team they triumphed over to secure a remarkable Champions League victory under Jose Mourinho 15 years ago.
Currently sitting atop the Italian league and also battling AC Milan in the semi-finals of the Italian Cup, Inter have openly expressed their desire to mirror their best season in 2009/10, when a team full of stars defeated Bayern in Madrid, with Diego Milito scoring twice after already clinching the two domestic trophies.
Lautaro Martinez, an Argentine striker and the team’s captain, has been particularly optimistic about Inter’s prospects. He believes that the Italians can achieve what would be a near-miraculous feat ahead of Tuesday’s first leg of their quarter-final clash with Bayern.
“It’s almost like we hesitate to say it, but yes,” Martinez remarked last month following a significant victory against Atalanta.
“It will be tough, but we are determined because we want to win every match we play.“
Inter are the most recent Italian side to lift the Champions League trophy and were unfortunate to lose the 2023 final to Manchester City. However, there’s no denying that Serie A has lost some of its previous prestige in Europe’s premier club competition.
The encounters with Bayern represent pivotal fixtures for Inter in a busy April, following a relatively unchallenging path to the quarter-finals, where coach Simone Inzaghi often rotated his squad in order to focus on defending their Serie A title during the early part of the season.
While Inter have only conceded two goals in the Champions League, boasting the best defensive record in the competition this season, they have been noticeably more vulnerable at the back compared to the previous year.
Inter’s Inconsistencies
One of those two goals conceded was during Inter’s only defeat in the league phase, a 1-0 loss to Bayern’s Bundesliga rivals, Bayer Leverkusen.
The team has struggled to close out matches, which is evident from their Serie A total of 30 goals conceded—eight more than during their charge for last year’s Scudetto.
Inter let slip a two-goal advantage to draw against struggling Parma last Saturday and nearly repeated the same against Udinese at the San Siro the week prior.
As Inter arrives in Germany, their lead at the top of Serie A could be trimmed to a single point on Monday night if Napoli, their closest competitors for the title, secure a win against in-form Bologna.
Assistant coach Massimiliano Farris noted after Saturday’s draw that Inter “couldn’t find the mental or physical energy to maintain” their lead over Parma, a concerning statement before their match against Harry Kane and co.
Fortunately for Inter, Italy defender Alessandro Bastoni is expected to be fit after being spotted with an ice pack on his left knee during the Parma match. However, the ongoing absence of Denzel Dumfries at right wing-back remains troubling, particularly given Bayern’s strength on the flanks.
Inter’s chances are bolstered by a growing injury crisis within Bayern, which coincides with Vincent Kompany’s team closing in on reclaiming the Bundesliga title while also keeping an eye on the Champions League final at their Allianz Arena.
Germany star Jamal Musiala has become the latest casualty for Bayern, facing a hamstring injury that appears to have ended his season.
Musiala joins defenders Alphonso Davies, Dayot Upamecano, and Hiroki on the sidelines, with their return uncertain, while goalkeeper and captain Manuel Neuer, winger Kingsley Coman, and midfielder Aleksandar Pavlovic also remain as question marks due to their own injuries.
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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