Bayern Munich vs Inter Milan Time and Preview: Champions League Final 2010

Inter Milan and Bayern Munich are all set to fight for the European title on 22 May in the Champions League 2009-10 final. The match will take place at the Santiago Bernabéu, the home ground of Real Madrid.

Time

The match kicks off at 20:45 local time and 18:45 GMT (19:45 BST). According to Indian time, the match starts at 00:15 AM (23 May). In Germany and Italy, football fans can watch the match from 20:45. The match begins in the United States from 14:30 ET.

Either side can create history winning this game. Both Inter Milan and Bayern Munich have won their domestic league and Cup titles. That means, both teams can complete an unprecedented treble this season. In fact, no team from Germany and Italy could win this treble in the past.

At the start of the season, there were not many who could imagine that Bayern Munich and Inter Milan would play this year’s Champions League final. In fact, Barcelona and Manchester United were hot favorites to win European title this season.

Bayern Munich last appeared in Champions league final in 2001 when they defeated Valencia in the tournament final to win their 4^th title in this tournament. Inter Milan last won the tournament in 1965 and their last appearance in the final came in 1972.

Inter Milan has been in dominating form in Serie A as they are the champions in Italian league for 5 seasons now. However, the Milan-based club was not performing very well in Europe, but this season, under talismanic manager Jose Mourinho, Inter has showed that they have what it takes to become Europe’s best.

Bayern Munich may not have that much dominance in domestic league, but the Bavarians won 3 titles in last 5 Bundesliga seasons. They would now like to replicate their 2001 success in Madrid. Inter Milan also looks to embrace European glory this season, ending their long-term wait for a Champions league title.

Football world also sees a battle within a battle as Bayern manger Louis van Gaal faces his former Barcelona assistant José Mourinho who is now in charge of Inter Milan. For both coaches, it would be their second success in Champions league as manager. Louis van Gaal guided Ajax to become European champion in 1995, while Mourinho won it with Porto in 2004.

Jose Mourinho has been linked with a move to Real Madrid in Summer, and interestingly, the Champions league final is going to take place at Real Madrid’s home ground. This year, for the first time, Champion league final is going to take place on Saturday, instead of Wednesday.

Inter Milan will miss the service of Thiago Motta who received marching order during the second leg semi final against Barcelona, while Bayern will not be able to feature star midfielder Franck Ribéry after UEFA upheld his ban. However, neither side has any major injury worry ahead of the match.

Hamit Altintrop is most likely to take Ribéry’s place with Arjen Robben having to take greater responsibility in creative midfielder’s role. Inter’s attacking line up looks very strong in the presence of Eto’o, Milito and Sneijder, while Ivica Olic will lead the German attack.