CHAMPIONS league focus INTER vs. MAN United

Inter Milan vs. Manchester United

24 Feb 2009 20:45:00 CET
Giuseppe Meazza—Milano
Referee: Luis Medina Cantalejo (Spain)

Inter had grown tired of Roberto Mancini and the ever evading Champions League title despite the fact that the former Inter player guided the club to two consecutive Scudettos. When José Mourinho arrived at Inter at the start of the season calcio fans everywhere expected great things from the "Special One"—if anyone could bring the Milan club their long overdue European glory it would have to be the Portuguese mastermind.

Inter did little to impress on their way to qualification with defeats to both Panathinaikos and Werder Bremen as they qualified as runners up to the knockout stages—collecting a lowly eight points along the way, Mourinho’s worst record in the group stages ever. Inter will have to do world’s better in order to stand a chance against the reigning European champions.

Not only that, but it’s time for Mourinho to deliver.

The Italian champions continue on to churn out the results despite less than convincing performances which could perhaps be viewed upon as a rather admirable quality as it is almost certain to land them their third consecutive title come May. This was, however, only supposed to be a byproduct of Mourinho’s presence considering the main reason he was brought in by Inter president Massimo Moratti was to guide Inter to the Champions League trophy.

Despite rumors of unrest in the squad with several disciplinary actions taken by the Portuguese tactician towards his players some have come to shine more than others. Zlatan Ibrahimovic continues on to play a vital role for the club but it is his teammate and goalkeeper Julio Cesar that has been stealing the headlines as of lately as he has been increasing the competition against Gianluigi Buffon for the title of "World’s best goalkeeper".

Inter Milan probable starting XI: Cesar, Maicon, Cordova, Chivu, Santon, Zanetti, Cambiasso, Maxwell, Muntari, Ibrahimovic, Adriano

Manchester United has, just like their Italian counterparts, won back-to-back league titles on sail towards a third. One major factor does, however, separate these two teams, and that is the Champions League trophy the Englishmen lifted last season—a feat they hope to repeat this season as well.

Despite winning the trophy during the previous season, United had some troubles getting through their group stages. Two wins and four draws was enough to ensure them as group winners. Even though Alex Ferguson’s men failed to impress in the Champions League group stages, they have done more than so in the Premier League and by claiming the title of best club in the world.

The Englishmen are coming into the game with a defensive crisis. Nemanja Vidic is set to sit out a ban, but—to add insult to injury—both Gary Neville and Wes Brown are out injured while John O’Shea and Jonny Evans still remain uncertain cards. There have been discussions about moving midfielders down to rearguard positions but so far nothing is certain. Apart from the defensive crisis both Owen Hargreaves and Anderson are unavailable.

Manchester United probable starting XI: Van der Sar, Evra, Ferdinand, O’Shea, Rafael da Silva, Ronaldo, Park, Fletcher, Carrick, Berbatov, Rooney

Perhaps the most prestigious fixture of all eight games as this particular one is sure to be the most intense by far. An old rivalry comes to life as Alex Ferguson and José Mourinho once again go head to head to try out their muscles. Another one is obviously between Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Cristiano Ronaldo in determining in which player really is the world’s best.

Player to watch: Zlatan Ibrahimovic is notorious for playing below par in prestigious games and has for the past two seasons in Inter done nothing to contradict that statement. If he is not to give Cristiano Ronaldo something to smile about after the game he will need to break free from the curse that is tying him from claiming the status of world’s best player.