Bayern Munchen-Inter Milan
Football : Champions League Final.
Venue: Santiago Bernabeu (Madrid,Spain)
Saturday, 22nd May 2010. Kickoff 20:45

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The showdown in Madrid will be the icing on the cake of European club football in the season 2009/10.

Bayern Munchen

Nominal hosts have surprised many specialists and made it to the final against most of the odds.

It takes someone special to guide a team to this far in the Champions League on his debut season at the club. Louis Van Gaal certainly has that special "something", although it is not being publicized on regular basis. Dutch specialist is doing his work avoiding the unnecessary fuss and media speculation.

Van Gaal already has two titles under his belt this year: the Bundesliga and DFB Cup trophies. And despite all the modesty of pre-match interviews it's clear Van Gaal has his eyes set on a perfect treble.

Bayern can be compared to a train under Van Gaal. After a slow start to the season - Bavarians began to increase the speed and improve their gameplay, which eventually led them to where they are and what they are.

The German side is without one of it's main stars - Franck Ribery. Reasons behind his suspension and all Bayern's efforts to get amnesty are well-known to any football fan. With Ribery's exception Van Gaal is lucky to have a full squad to choose from.

Inter Milan

One of Massimo Moratti's lifelong dreams could be achieved on Saturday evening and by all means it needed someone truly Special to take Inter's boss so close to it.

Just like his former mentor at Barcelona, Jose Mourinho is keeping a 100% in all competitions this season. Scudetto and Coppa Italia have been conquered in style with AS Roma being forced to eat dust in the back.

Now Mourinho has one more thing to take care of before moving to Real Madrid. It would be quite romantic to win the Champions' League at the stadium of your next employers, right before their eyes.

It's odd that Mourinho has not launched his traditional speculation over Snejder's fitness before the match. During the play-off the Special One systematically had baited rumors of Dutchman's injury.

This time there's no need to exhalate the starting line up. Inter has no injury concerns to deal and should apply the well-known 4-3-3 formation.

Betting Advice

I've been off the mark in the finals so far. Incorrectly picked the Europa League winners, blundered in the Copa del Rey three days ago. Perhaps third time will be more fortunate.

Bookies are right to rate Inter as favourites here. The tougher draw (elimination of Chelsea and Barcelona), the better quality of players and the better domestic league - these aspects speak in Inter's behalf.

I will not launch my beloved theory about necessity of rating chances equally in Cup finals. Perhaps, it's now or never for Moratti and Mourinho's Inter.

I suggest you watch how the market behaves and go for Italian champions to win.

HANDICAP BETTING :

Take Inter Milan (-0.25) @ 1.97 with Bet365