Top post!
I think most people in this country underestimate Bayern. On their day, they can beat anyone, and have the talent to match the best in europe. And the pedigree, which is important in these competitions.
As for Inter, most people here (and apparently the CL commentators) have only seen Inter at the CL this season. Our CL campaign has been a miserable story so far, mostly circumstantial... 3 red cards in the first two games made us look poor, and then the pressure to qualify meant that Inter started grinding out results rather than playin their natural flowing game. 3 consecutive wins and qualification later, and then Inter played a makeshift side against Bayern in the final game. Inter in Italy this season have been thrilling to say the least, beat Milan 4-3, Roma 4-3 and 2-1,
Fiorentina 3-2, Palermo 2-1, Chievo 4-3, Livorno 4-1, etc. Zanetti, Stan, Crespo, Ibra, Cruz, etc have been in very good nick and the team playing as a unit. If we continue on this form, I don't mind facing anyone in the second round.
And good point there re Adriano. People have short memories, they forget the player he was when in form... its only a matter of time, me thinks.
Snowbispo wrote:I still think alot of people are too quick to write off Bayern and Inter this season.
Bayern may not have the best coach, best first team or best individual's but there's a solidity about them this season; atleast in the group stages. I'm not entirely sure they'll ship many goals this season.
They've also got some genuine 'footballers' in the likes of Schweinsteiger, Podolski and Deisler especially who have enough talent and pace between them to hurt any team. And Makaay is scoring now (...Maybe).
Add that to the fact that they've got Hargreaves to come back by the time of the knock-outs, and have the likes of Van Buyten and Lucio in defence - two players who between them should have enough power, aerial ability, pace and cannyness to deal with whatever style of forward they're up against - and they look strong.
Oh, and to top it all off they've got 2 of the best fullbacks in the world.
They're no mugs.
They and Inter are the teams I'm desperate to avoid throughout.
Inter are a scary prospect for anyone - people are forgetting that they've been just as, if not more impressive, than Barca domestically this season. They've beaten all their main rivals away from home already. They've got Stankovic, who forgive the lazio-fan overhype, can be as good as any midfielder in the world.
And I think they have more finishers than anyone.
Ibrahimovic - though not exactly liked - is playing well this season.
Adriano - again, much like Ibrahimovic - is, forgive the cliché, "due a goal". And most people know once he gets started he's nigh on impossible to stop until his motivation runs out - if he gets a goal in the next Champions league game, he could end up with 7 or 8 come the final. He's nigh on unstoppable when he's doing well.
Cruz is playing relatively well this season aswell and he's getting goals. He's not exactly a glamour name but also not a striker you want to take lightly.
Oh, and Crespo is just about the best natural finisher in Europe and has movement across the frontline that's unrivaled anywhere.
Inter may shoot themselves in the foot again, just like Bayern may stumble and capitulate massively again, but Inter can score 3 or 4 goals against anyone. Just like Bayern look like they might just be able to stiffle anyone this season.
Home
