Bayern Munich could make history if they beat Inter Milan in the dead rubber Champions League Group C tie at the Allianz Arena on Tuesday.
German champions Bayern Munich and Italian giants Inter Milan have both guaranteed their qualification for the Last 16 of the UEFA Champions League, effectively rendering their Matchday 6 tie irrelevant.
Die Roten are guaranteed to finish top irrespective of the result, while the Nerazzurri will hold onto the second spot regardless of what happens. With little to play for, both sides could use the game as a breather and hand their top players some much-needed rest.
With games coming thick and fast, squad rotation is key. The tie on Tuesday allows both sides to rejig their lineups and maybe test out new tactics. With much more important games to come, it makes little sense for them to go all out for little gain.
Julian Nagelsmann could opt to chase a spot in the history books with a win on the night. Securing all three points will see them reach two milestones. Bayern Munich will not just become the first team to win all group-stage games in consecutive seasons but also the first side to ever win all six matches in three different campaigns.
While it is far from a trophy, it does outline the dominance the German champions have had in Europe’s Premier competition. Inter, meanwhile, have an excellent record at the Allianz Arena, winning two and drawing one of their last three visits.
In contrast to their momentum-setting Matchday 1 opener, both clubs can afford to sit back and play out a game that will do little to change the group standings. It could very well prove to be an entertaining affair for not just neutrals but also both clubs’ fans. The Hard Tackle looks at how both sides could line up on the night and what tactics they might employ.
Team News & Tactics
Bayern Munich
🔴 LIVE with English commentary: The first 15 minutes of our public training session ahead of #FCBInter#MiaSanMia #FCBayern
— FC Bayern Munich (@FCBayernEN) October 31, 2022
Bayern Munich have several injury concerns on the night. The German champions will be without Manuel Neuer, Lucas Hernandez, Bouna Sarr, Leroy Sane, and Thomas Muller, four of whom are arguably first-XI players when fit.
Star defender Matthijs de Ligt also picked up a knock at the weekend against FSV Mainz and was withdrawn at half-time. With Benjamin Pavard capable of doing a job at centre-back, Julian Nagelsmann is unlikely to risk the Dutchman on the night.
Bayern are experiencing an upturn in form that has also translated to the Bundesliga. To keep the momentum going, Nagelsmann could refrain from making wholesale changes on the night. After all, the Bayern boss will not want to risk a defeat in front of the home crowd.
Sven Ulreich struggled at the weekend and will be expected to do a better job on the night. With the pressure off, the reserve shot-stopper could play with more freedom. He is likely to be the last line of defence in Nagelsmann’s trademark 4-2-3-1 system.
Noussair Mazraoui should start at left-back with Dayot Upamecano and Benjamin Pavard forming the centre-back duo. Alphonso Davies should start at left-back and will be keen to make his offensive runs to maximum effect
Having played the full 90 minutes at the weekend, Joshua Kimmich could make way for Marcel Sabitzer. The Austrian is likely to partner Leon Goretzka in the double pivot after both players put in impressive performances against Mainz.
Sadio Mane could be handed a breather with Serge Gnabry starting in his stead. Kingsley Coman grabbed an assist at the weekend and will be keen to add to his minutes on the other flank.
It will not come as a surprise should Gnabry and Coman switch flanks sometime during the game. Jamal Musiala is likely to reprise his role as the number 10 behind an in-form Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Ulreich; Mazraoui; Pavard, Upamecano, Davies; Sabitzer, Goretzka, Coman, Musiala, Gnabry; Choupo-Moting
Inter Milan
Inter Milan are also going through a purple patch and have made up some of the lost ground courtesy of their poor start to the season. The Italian giants have done well in their second season in the UEFA Champions League under Simone Inzaghi and deserve credit for their performances.
The 3-0 win over Sampdoria at the weekend was a routine affair but did showcase the fatigue in certain players, especially up front. With much more important games set to come in Serie A, Inzaghi is likely to retain his 3-5-2 system but will tinker with the lineup. Marcelo Brozovic, Dalbert and Gabriel Brazao are all out for the visitors.
While Samir Handanovic could return to the lineup, it makes sense for Inter to keep faith in Andre Onana and not disturb his momentum. He is likely to start behind the three-man backline of Milan Skriniar, Stefan De Vrij and Francesco Acerbi.
The tireless Hakan Calhanoglu could be given a breather with Kristjan Asllani set to take his place in midfield. Nicolo Barella also has been playing regularly and could make way for Roberto Gagliardini. Henrikh Mkhitaryan appears set to keep his spot in the lineup.
L'allenamento domenicale dei nostri nerazzurri 🏃#ForzaInter pic.twitter.com/5TJ1rBXVHt
— Inter (@Inter) October 30, 2022
With Denzel Dumfries nursing an injury, Matteo Darmain could return to the right wing-back spot. His defensive nous will come in key against what is usually a dominant Bayern left wing. Federico Dimarco has been playing regularly of late but could make way for Robin Gosens at left wing-back.
Lautaro Martinez and Edin Dzeko looked absolutely knackered at the weekend, and it would be criminal to not afford them a breather. With Joaquin Correa scoring again, he is likely to start on the night. Meanwhile, Romelu Lukaku has suffered another injury setback and will miss the game.
Edin Dzeko also missed training, and this could force Inzaghi to play Martinez for an hour or so before taking him off. With Juventus up next Sunday, the Inter boss will do well to rest his best players. Having seen them give it their all to get the Nerazzuri’s season back on track, squad management will now be key.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Onana; Skriniar, de Vrij, Acerbi; Darmian, Gagliardini. Asllani, Mkhitaryan, Gosens; Martinez, Correa
Key Stats
- Bayern Munich and Inter Milan have faced off eight times in European competitions so far, with Bayern winning four games and Inter coming out on top thrice. Bayern Munich have won all three group games between the two sides in the UEFA Champions League.
- Inter Milan have garnered two wins and a draw in their last three visits to the Allianz Arena. No side have troubled the Germans more at home than the Italians in European competitions.
- Bayern Munich have won their last five home games against Italian sides in Europe, scoring at least two goals in the process. Their last defeat to a Serie A side came in 2011 against Inter Milan.
- A win on the night will make Bayern Munich the first side in history to win all six group-stage games in consecutive campaigns. Meanwhile, avoiding defeat on the night will see Inter Milan go unbeaten in four consecutive away games in the competition for the first time since the time period 2003-2005.
- Should Bayern Munich win on the night, they will become the first side in the competition’s history to have won all six group-stage games on three separate occasions.
Player to Watch
Kingsley Coman
The Frenchman will be raring to go after his return from injury and will be eager to get minutes under his belt. Coman came off the bench and earned himself an assist at the weekend. Having him start on the right could be key, especially if Acerbi occupies the role of the left-most centre-back for Inter. The disparity in pace between both players could wing the clash in Coman’s favour.
Skilled with the ball and with pace to boot, the Frenchman will be a difficult player for Inter to pin down should he get going. With the World Cup coming up, Coman will be keen to impress, and there is no better game than on Tuesday for him to do that. With Noussair Mazraoui protecting his rear, the 26-year-old can focus on what he does best, score and create goals.
Prediction
Bayern Munich 2-0 Inter Milan
In a game that will see Julian Nagelsman’s successful 4-2-3-1 system go up against Simone Inzaghi’s trademark 3-5-2, the battle is likely to be decided in midfield. Bayern have a much more settled side and also possesses the strength in depth to rotate the roster.
Playing at home and coming off a purple patch of results, Bayern will come out all guns blazing and win comfortably by two goals. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-0 victory for Bayern Munich over Inter Milan.
