Champions League
2009-09-16 - Inter Milan vs Barcelona
A Sports Betting Pick by Shady
Football : UEFA : Champions League 2009/10
Wednesday, 16th September 2009 - Kickoff 19:45
Inter Milan will host Barcelona in a mouth watering game as Pep Guardiola would want to be the first team to successfully defend his team’s European crown while Jose Mourinho have set his sight on European glory this season. There are a lot of history been Jose Mourinho and Barcelona and who could prevail this time round?
There will be no love lost between both these sides as there are loads of chemistry between the players. Both side have lost their leading goal scorer last season during the summer transfer window.
Samuel Eto, Ricardo Quaresma and Thiago Motta all played for Barcelona previous while Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Maxwell played for Milan. Wesley Sneidjer and Diego Milito both played in the Spanish League before and are aware of Barcelona's approach.
Inter Milan (Italy)
Samuel Eto will be in headlines for this game as he faces his former team. Eto spend five seasons with the Catalans from 2004 till last season scoring 109 goals in 144 appearance. Samuel Eto also scored in both Barcelona’s Champion’s League final matches back in 2006 and 2009.
Inter Milan started the season in good form after recording a massive 4-0 victory against City rivals Ac Milan and a 2-0 win over Parma at the weekend. Knowing Mourinho, he tends to be extra cautious in Europe and he is likely to play with a 4-4-2 diamond heart formation or probably even a 4-5-1 formation.
Julio Cesar will start in goal protected by Maicon, Walter Samuel, Lucio, and Santon. In midfield, Patrick Vieira will be deployed as a holding midfielder while Thiago Motta or Sulley Muntari and Javier Zanetti will play at the flanks with Wesley Sneijder playing as an attacking midfield. Samuel Eto and Milito are likely to start up front.
Like I’ve mentioned earlier, Mourinho is extra cautious or defensive in Europe, therefore he might sacrifice Milito to play an extra midfielder to cope with the threat of Barcelona’s midfield line. We will have to wait and see until the team news is it to confirm this.
Barcelona (Spain)
After losing last season’s leading goal scorer Barcelona did not have difficulty in finding the back of the net. A 3-0 win against Sporting Gijon and a 2-0 win against Getafe game them comfortable victories in both the matches.
Key figures such as Daniel Alves, Thierry Henry, Andres Iniesta and Lional Messi were all rested in the weekend’s win against Getafe. They are all likely to be recalled into the starting lineup as Guardiola’s side prepare to face a tough away battle against one of the best master of tactician, Jose Mourinho.
Victor Valdes will start in goal protected by Daniel Alves, Carlos Puyol, Gerard Pique and Eric Abidal. In midfield, Yaya Toure will accompany Xavi and Andres Iniesta to form a dynamic midfield trio. Up front, Lional Messi, Zalatan Ibrahimovic and Henry are expected to lead the lines.
Key Players :
With so much chemistry between both these sides, it is difficult to single out only one key player. However, Samuel Eto has been one of Spanish’s finest goal scorers for the past few seasons and should cause his former side some problem given the supply.
On the other hand, with Henry and Messi both cutting in from the flanks, Inter should have difficulties in dealing with their runs.
THe Betting Verdict :
Mourinho might have the upper hand between both managers but Barcelona has got an edge in terms of players. I would back Barcelona to at least get a point out of this game if not three points.
The Statistics :
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BEST BETTING TIP :
Consider trying over 2.5 yellow cards as a side bet in this game as it might be a fiery one.
Gooner’s Statistical Value Bet
Take Barcelona on a level ball handicap. (main bet)
