UEFA Champions League Preview: Inter Milan - Werder Bremen
Inter looking for a win
The reigning European Champions started their title defence with a shaky 2-2 draw against Dutch champions FC Twente. Inter’s Scudetto defence hasn’t been particularly impressive either. Even though the club sits joint top of the Serie A table, the performances
have been far from convincing. Samuel Eto’o has been acting as a one man army at times.
Nerazzurri were expected to stutter at the start of the campaign following Rafa Benitez’s arrival at the club. The recent results have just proven that as the Spanish tactician is yet to find his rhythm at the club. The air tight defence of last season is
leaking goals with alarming regularity, something Benitez must fix for the Champions to progress in the competition.
Inter will look to win against Werder Bremen at home to regain momentum. Inter is a force to reckon with at San Siro. The Nerazzurri were undefeated at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza last season, indeed they laid the foundation for their success with a tremendous
home record.
The biggest concern for Inter is the fact that many players have voiced their concerns regarding Samuel Eto’o selfish play. Sneijder and Milito in particular were critical of the forwards attitude. If rumours of a troubled dressing room are true, things
can go really bad for the club.
Team News
Milito missed Tuesday’s team training following a knee injury. The Prince suffered a knock during Inter’s loss to Roma on Saturday. The striker was ruled out initially but latest reports suggest the forward is back to individual training. Walter Samuel is
also a concern but he is expected to be fully fit for the match and will start.
Skipper Javier Zanetti, Thiago Motta and Marco Materazzi have been ruled out of the match entirely due to their long term injuries.
Probable Line-up
Julio Cesar, Maicon, Lucio, Samuel, Chivu, McDonald Mariga, Cambiasso, Stankovic, Pandev, Milito, Eto’o.
Bremen has a hill to climb
Werder Bremen had a very strong squad at the start of the season. Young sensation Mesut Ozil had made the fans forget about Diego who was a fan favourite just a season ago. The club however, decided to cash-in on Ozil and the forward left for the riches of
Real Madrid. In his absence, the club managed to defeat Sampdoria in a thrilling encounter and qualify for the Champions League. Ozil’s absence is wildly expected to haunt the club as many expect them to fail in the group stage.
In the first match of the group stage, Bremen was 2-0 down at home against Tottenham Hotspurs by half time only to fight back to draw the match 2 – 2. Despite salvaging a point, Bremen will look at the result as 2 points dropped.
A win at San Siro will leave the German outfit with a big chance of making it to the next round. The club will look to take advantage of uncertainty around the Milanese outfit. Bremen’s new found talisman, Marko Marin, has recently stated in an interview
that the club’s recent victory against Hamburg in the Bundesliga will serve as the necessary confident booster ahead of their match against Inter.
Team News
Bremen is a severely depleted squad at this point in time. Naldo and Sebastian Boenisch got themselves injured against Hamburg. According to latest reports, Torsten Frings, Claudio Pizzaro and Clemens Fritz have now joined the duo on the treatment table.
The absence of Frings and Pizarro will be a huge blow to the German outfit.
Probable Line up
Tim Wiese, Wesley, Per Mertesacker, Sebastian Prodl, Mikael Silvestre, Marko Marin, Phillip Bargfrede, Daniel Jensen, Aaron Hunt, Marko Arnautovic, Hugo Almeida
Prediction:
An in-form Inter should steamroll a depleted Bremen outfit. Fortunately for Bremen, the Inter Machine isn’t in full stride as yet. This leaves the German outfit with a chance of stealing some points. Inter will look to bounce back from their Roman disappointment
with a victory. If Mertesacker manages to shackle an out of sorts Milito, Bremen can get a draw but winning wouldn’t be a realistic target. Eto’o and his fine form, backed with solid home support will however come in handy for the Nerazzurri. Inter to win
2 – 1.
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