The showpiece fixture in European football is flying somewhat under the radar in 2010 with the World Cup looming large but a fascinating contest awaits and I’ve little idea about what to expect.
Unsurprisingly for a game of this magnitude the bookmakers are offering markets on just about every eventuality imaginable but for once the odds compilers seem to have it spot on across the board.
Inter Milan, having disposed of Barcelona in the last four, are quite rightly considered favourites to lift the trophy and, while quotes of around the 1.60 mark only appear fair, I do think they are the most likely victors under their inspirational manager, Jose Mourinho.
The two teams appear fairly evenly matched heading into the Madrid final, Bayern Munich having got the better of Fiorentina, Manchester United and Lyon in the knockout stages, but Mourinho could well prove the difference and it is hard to imagine the ‘Special One’ on the loosing side come Saturday evening.
Opposite Mourinho in the Bayern dugout will be Louis van Gaal and he, too, is chasing an unprecedented treble. Both Inter and Saturday’s opponents have already secured the two most coveted domestic trophies, finishing on top of Serie A and the Bundesliga respectively, and it is hard to argue that either side deserves their place at the Bernabeu.
Bayern’s progress to the final has not been without its dramas, they were all but out at Old Trafford just before half time in the second leg, and once again will turn to Arjen Robben for inspiration.
Robben has proved himself a world class performer since his switch from Real Madrid and will be keen to show he has what it takes on the biggest stage of all back in the stadium where he so often failed to shine.
The pressure on Robben to once again produce his best is even more evident for Bayern given Franck Ribery’s untimely suspension but I’m convinced they have a goal in them and this could go the distance.
Bayern have scored 21 times in this season’s competition and incredibly have managed 15 away from home in just six matches. Not the best defensively, they’ll rely on Robben and Ivica Olic going forward to cause Inter problems and Bayern’s threat from set-pieces is also an asset.
Having defeated Barcelona, Inter, and in particular their Portuguese boss, will fear nobody and there is a sense that this is simply meant to be their year. Wins at Stamford Bridge over Chelsea and in Moscow over CSKA in the last 16 were impressive and I think the Italians will try to take the game to Bayern as they did against the defending champions at the San Siro.
Star of the show in that 3-1 first leg victory over Pep Guardiola’s men was Wesley Sneijder and much will depend on his effectiveness once again. His link up play with Diego Milito and the tireless Samuel Eto has been the feature of Inter’s attacking movement this season and they certainly create plenty of chances.
There’s no value in the main markets on offer on Saturday but, as has been the case in nine of the previous 14 Champions League finals, I expect both sides to find the net and the odds against with William Hill about that occurring will do for me.
An early goal would set the match up nicely and also be the perfect start to the wager which I hope will round off a wonderfully profitable campaign.
1pt Back Both Teams to Score @ 2.05 (William Hill)