The Master vs The Learner

By Dominic Vieira, writing from Portugal

Bayern Munich vs Inter Milan, Champions League Final, Santiago Bernabéu, 19:45 GMT

Are you ready for the greatest match on the European calendar? After an intense 2009/10 Champions League season, filled with surprises and suspense, we’ve arrived at the last match, the grand final. This year Bayern Munich takes on Inter Milan in the 2010 Champions League final in Madrid. Germany vs Italy. Free Flowing Football vs Tactical Football. Louis Van Gaal vs José Mourinho. The Master vs The Learner. In less than eight hours, millions of fans across the world will be turning in to watch a truly beautiful match played at its highest level. Plus, it’s the first time the final is played on a Saturday night, no need to worry about school or work.

In 1997, at FC Barcelona, a young and talented José Mourinho worked under Louis Van Gaal. At the time Mourinho was certainly not ‘a special one’, whereas the Dutch manager was a true champion and proven manager, he had won every trophy there was to be won with Ajax. The pair spent three years together and enjoyed success, winning back to back La Liga titles in 98 and 99. Mourinho, flourished under the Dutch Master and established himself through the ’apprenticeship’.

Thirteen years later, they both clash in their second Champions League final. The pair have relished brilliant seasons winning both the cup and league, victory tonight will certainly write their name down in history as they will complete the famous treble. Tonight one of them will become the third manager to lift the trophy with two different clubs, will Mourinho outclass his former mentor or will Van Gaal teach him another lesson?

Different Styles

There has been an astronomic media build up for this match, with numerous players, coaches and former players commenting on the two different styles of the managers. Arjen Robben has played under both of them and stated:

“Mourinho puts out a winning team, it doesn’t matter if it’s done with nice football or not. The philosophy at Bayern is the coach wants to win games by playing nice football.”

“The final is a match between a team who to play football and a team who just wants to stop football.”

Mourinho rejected Robben’s opinion and criticism by saying:

“A football team is made of balance. I don’t believe in a crazy attacking team, I don’t believe in a crazy defensive team. My Porto team had balance, my Chelsea has balance and we have balance in this time. Football is made about balance.”

The only way to prove which one of these statements is true, is proving it on the pitch

FC Bayern Munich

The German champions will be fielding their typical 4-4-2 formation, the only player missing is Ribéry who is suspended. Bayern Munich will play a fast, free flowing game. The circulation of the ball and movement of the players is the key behind their success.

Arjen Robben and Altintop will be their main threats, as they operate as wide wingers it forces the Inter midfield to stretch or the wide forwards to play deep as they did against Barcelona. The speed of the wingers is crucial, especially on the left wing as Zanetti does not have the pace Robben has.

Bayern’s danger man will be Olic, he was clinical against United in both quarter finals and will endure a tough physical battle against Lúcio. Olic is a fox in the box, and if the ball is played to him, danger will be created. Finally, if Olic and Mueller aren’t scoring the goals, Gómez and Klose will be ready to enter the fray, which change the dimension of the team and increase the aerial threat.

Inter Milan

Inter are without Thiago Motta who is suspended and young left back Davide Santon who is injured. Wesley Sneijder is still recovering for the final, but is expected to play.

As always, we can expect a compact, solid and strong Inter side. They will close Bayern down in all sectors and limit the balls that are directed to the wingers. They want to hit Bayern on the counter attack and their striking force, composed of 3 players will cause havoc to the German defence.

Inter have a rock solid defence and many times they operate with 5 defenders, Cambiasso acting as the '5th man’. Inter has the numerical advantage in the centre of the field which is what Mourinho wants, controlling the game. It’s complicated to win a football match if the team doesn’t control the centre of the game, all the action takes place in the middle and the presence of Cambiasso and Stankovic will be felt. Finally, Inter’s speed and efficiency can potentially destroy Bayern, they may not create many chances, but the ones that are produced, won’t be wasted by Milito & co.

Prediction

Inter Milan 2 -1 Bayern Munich, nobody can be considered the favourite for the final. But I believe Inter will take this. They’ve proved their unity, strength and class throughout the competition and their hard work has earned them this slot in the final. The team will be fully focussed, and unlike FC Bayern they attack as a team and defend as a team, Inter’s midfield will be the pioneers behind the victory. However, over-confidence can lead to huge upsets and Bayern Munich aren’t a weak side. They produced superb comebacks against United and Fiorentina, and if they are 1-0 or 2-0 down, they won’t give up. If Robben is on fire, he could set the Bernabéu alight.

On a final note, to record another smooth and slick Mourinho press conference these were his final words: “We will play the final not with an obsession but with a dream.”

Who do you think will win?