Bayern Munich will host Inter Milan in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals at the Allianz Arena on Tuesday.
Having lost the league title to Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen last season, Bayern Munich have reasserted their dominance in the Bundesliga this season. They currently hold a six-point lead at the top of the table.
Bayern also steamrolled rivals Leverkusen 5-0 on aggregate in their Champions League round-of-16 tie.
However, if Bayern are to triumph over Inter, they would have to do it with several of their first team players missing due to injury. This includes midfield sensation Jamal Musiala, who was injured in the 3-1 win over Augsburg on Friday.
Meanwhile, Inter Milan are also top of Serie A, three points clear of challengers Napoli. Simone Inzaghi’s side currently have one of the meanest defences in the Champions League, having conceded only twice in 10 games played so far.
Their disciplined 3-5-2 formation has drawn praise from various sources, including Pep Guardiola and Thierry Henry. Fans will remember their dogged Champions League final performance in 2023 against treble-level Manchester City, eventually losing only to Rodri’s excellent 16-yard strike. Bayern would have to work hard to break them down.
Key Stats
Bayern Munich and Inter Milan have faced each other 9 times in European competition:
Bayern 5 wins | 1 draw | Inter Milan 3 wins
Inter have beaten Bayern on each of the 2 occasions they met in the knockout stages.
Bayern have an 83% win rate in their Champions League home games.
Bayern Munich have seen 2 goals or less in 9 of their last 11 games against Inter Milan in all competitions.
