Inter Milan finds themselves on an ambitious journey, aiming to replicate their historic treble achievement as the Serie A champions prepare to face Bayern Munich, the very team they triumphed against to clinch a momentous Champions League victory under Jose Mourinho 15 years ago.
Currently at the top of the Italian league and battling AC Milan in the semi-finals of the Italian Cup, Inter has been vocal about their desire to match their outstanding season of 2009/10. That year, a formidable squad defeated Bayern in Madrid with a brace from Diego Milito after already securing both domestic trophies.
Lautaro Martinez, another Argentine striker and the team captain, is particularly optimistic about Inter’s prospects. He expressed his belief that the Italian side can achieve what would be a remarkable feat ahead of the first leg of their quarter-final against Bayern on Tuesday.
“It’s almost like we don’t want to mention it, but yes,” Martinez remarked last month following a significant win against Atalanta.
“It’s going to be tough, but we’re going all in because our aim is to win every match we play.“
As the most recent Italian club to lift the Champions League trophy, Inter were unlucky to lose the 2023 final to Manchester City. However, it cannot be ignored that Serie A has somewhat waned in prestige within the continent’s top club competition.
The encounters with Bayern are pivotal in Inter’s busy April schedule after a relatively seamless path to the quarter-finals where coach Simone Inzaghi frequently rotated his line-ups, placing greater emphasis on defending their Serie A title in the initial months of the season.
So far, Inter has conceded just two goals in the Champions League, boasting the best defensive record in the tournament this season. However, their defensive frailties have been more apparent compared to last year.
Inter’s Vulnerabilities
One of those two goals conceded was a part of Inter’s solitary defeat on their way to the top eight during the league phase, a narrow 1-0 loss to Bayer Leverkusen, a rival in the Bundesliga title race.
An ongoing issue for Inter this season has been their struggle to see matches through, as evidenced by their Serie A tally of 30 goals conceded—eight more than during last season’s Scudetto-winning campaign.
In a recent match, Inter squandered a two-goal lead, settling for a draw against lowly Parma, and only a week prior, they nearly made the same mistake against Udinese at the San Siro.
As they make their way to Germany, their lead atop Serie A might be reduced to just one point on Monday night, with title rivals Napoli taking on an in-form Bologna.
Assistant coach Massimiliano Farris commented after Saturday’s stalemate that Inter “couldn’t find the mental or physical energy to maintain” their advantage against Parma—a statement of concern ahead of their clash with Harry Kane and the Bayern squad.
Fortunately for Inter, Italian defender Alessandro Bastoni appears set to make a return after being spotted with an ice pack on his left knee in the Parma match. However, the ongoing absence of right wing-back Denzel Dumfries poses a challenge, especially against Bayern’s potent flank play.
Inter’s odds are slightly bolstered by a Bayern injury crisis coinciding with Vincent Kompany’s team seeking to regain their Bundesliga title while eyeing the Champions League final at their Allianz Arena.
Germany international Jamal Musiala has become the latest casualty, ruled out of the tie with a hamstring tear that likely sidelines him for the remainder of the season.
Musiala joins defenders Alphonso Davies, Dayot Upamecano, and Hiroki in what looks to be an extended absence, while goalkeeper and captain Manuel Neuer, winger Kingsley Coman, and midfielder Aleksandar Pavlovic have uncertain return timelines due to injury.
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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