Prediction: Bayern Munich vs Inter Milan

Verdict: Home win

Best odds: 20/21

Bookmaker: Olympusbet

Nearly a decade and a half after clashing in the 2009/10 Champions League final, Bundesliga frontrunners Bayern Munich and reigning Serie A champions Inter Milan renew hostilities for a spot in this year’s semifinals, beginning with Tuesday’s quarterfinal first leg at the Allianz Arena.

Vincent Kompany’s side booked their place in the last eight by overcoming fellow German outfit Bayer Leverkusen, while the Nerazzurri brought Feyenoord’s continental campaign to an end in the previous round.

Bayern Munich

Bayern Munich’s revenge mission against Bayer Leverkusen is halfway complete. Not only do they hold a commanding lead over last season’s invincible champions at the Bundesliga summit, but they also emphatically dumped Die Werkself out of Europe, cruising to a 5-0 aggregate victory in the Champions League last 16 – claiming a 3-0 win at home before sealing the deal with a 2-0 success away.

That result saw the Bavarians reach the Champions League quarter-finals for a record-extending 23rd time, and for the sixth consecutive campaign. In fact, Bayern are the only team to have reached the last eight in every edition since 2019-20 – coincidentally, the last time they lifted the famous trophy – bolstered by a remarkable 22-match unbeaten streak in UCL home games at the Allianz Arena.

Still alive in their pursuit of a Bundesliga and Champions League double, Bayern warmed up for Inter’s visit with a 3-1 triumph at Augsburg on Friday night, maintaining their six-point cushion over Leverkusen and moving ever closer to reclaiming the domestic crown.

Team News

However, that win came at a cost. Star playmaker Jamal Musiala sustained a torn muscle that is expected to keep him out for the remainder of the season – a huge blow to their creative firepower against a resilient Inter rearguard. In his absence, Vincent Kompany is expected to turn to veteran Thomas Müller, who is set to end his decorated Bayern career this summer but could enjoy one final run in the starting XI.

The hosts’ injury woes don’t end there. Alphonso Davies and Dayot Upamecano have both succumbed to serious knee issues, while Kingsley Coman (unspecified) and Manuel Neuer (calf) remain doubtful; Neuer in particular is considered a major long shot for Tuesday’s clash.

On a more positive note, Harry Kane, who became the first English player to net 10 goals in a single Champions League campaign, should be fit to start, having downplayed concerns after being spotted with an ice pack on his ankle following Friday’s match.

Inter Milan

While Bayern Munich have dazzled in the final third with 28 Champions League goals this season – second only to Barcelona’s 32 – Inter Milan have built their European campaign on defensive steel, conceding just twice in 10 matches. One of those goals came via a Jakub Moder penalty in the last 16, but it had little bearing, as Marcus Thuram and Hakan Calhanoglu struck to seal a comfortable 4-1 aggregate win over Feyenoord.

Inter, still chasing their first Champions League crown since famously toppling Bayern in the 2010 final, have made their presence felt with a string of defensive masterclasses under Simone Inzaghi. However, their backline was uncharacteristically leaky in Saturday’s Serie A clash with Parma, where a 2-0 lead slipped away in a 2-2 draw – threatening to reduce their gap at the summit to just one point should Napoli win on Monday.

That result continued a shaky spell of away form, as the Nerazzurri have only triumphed in two of their last eight road games in all competitions. Their recent meetings with Bayern also offer little comfort, having lost 2-0 both home and away during the 2022/23 group stage.

Team News

Inter’s mini-collapse at Parma coincided with Alessandro Bastoni’s early withdrawal due to a knee injury, though the Italy international is expected to recover in time for the trip to Munich. However, Inzaghi will have to cope without several key names: Mehdi Taremi (muscle), Piotr Zielinski (calf), and Denzel Dumfries (thigh) are all ruled out, while Kristjan Asllani is suspended due to yellow card accumulation.

With both Zielinski and Asllani missing, Davide Frattesi is in line to slot into midfield alongside Calhanoglu and Henrikh Mkhitaryan, ing the dynamic strike duo of Thuram and captain Lautaro Martinez as Inter look to stun the German giants on their own turf.

Conclusion

Tuesday’s clash promises to be a captivating encounter between Bayern’s relentless attack and Inter’s disciplined defence.

Injuries and suspensions could certainly force both Kompany and Inzaghi to tweak their blueprints, but even without the flair of Musiala pulling the strings, Bayern still boast enough firepower – led by Harry Kane and the inventive Michael Olise – to carve out a narrow first-leg advantage and head to San Siro with momentum on their side.

Verdict: Home win

Best odds: 20/21

Bookmaker: Olympusbet