Inter Milan vs Bayern Munich: Champions League Preview & Potential Line-ups

In a repeat of the 2010 Champions League final, Inter Milan and Bayern Munich lock horns in a curtain-raising Group C fixture at Giuseppe Meazza. 

Widely considered this season's 'group of death,' this section also contains Barcelona and Viktoria Plzen, highlighting the importance of his opening-day contest.

Unfortunately for Inter, a 3-2 defeat to AC Milan in Saturday's Derby della Madonnina has seen their confidence dwindle ahead of this mouth-watering clash.

Simone Inzaghi's side will be looking to progress beyond the Champions League group stages for only the second time in five seasons following last term's round-of-16 exit at the hands of Liverpool.

Though Bayern have yet to lose in competitive action this season (W5, D2), an underwhelming 1-1 draw at Union Berlin on Saturday was far from an ideal rehearsal ahead of this encounter. 

With Robert Lewandowski no longer in the picture, Julian Nagelsmann will turn to ex-Liverpool talisman Sadio Mane to spearhead the Bavarians' bid to win the competition for the first time since 2019/20.

Match Preview 

Inter Milan

Despite losing all three home encounters against Bayern in European football, Inter came out 2-0 victors on the landmark occasion when the two sides met in the 2010 Champions League showpiece.

Now eager to tip the H2H balance in European competition in their favour (W3, D1, L3), they are aiming to open a new Champions League season with a home victory for the second time in six appearances (D3, L2).

With Inter's last ten UEFA-sanctioned matches against Bundesliga rivals featuring an average of 3.9 goals per game, connoisseurs of action-packed football will be looking forward to this showdown.

Bayern Munich

Since drawing a blank in that 2010 Champions League final, visiting Bayern have netted in 14 consecutive European fixtures against Serie A clubs, averaging 2.57 goals per match.

Unbeaten in their last ten Champions League clashes against Italian sides (W8, D2), the Bavarians will feel confident about extending their imperious run of 17 wins from their previous 18 group stage outings (D1).

All eyes will be on Mane, who will be desperate to become only the fourth African player to hit a 25-goal milestone in the Champions League on his European debut for Bayern. 

Inter Milan vs Bayern Munich Potential Line-ups

Inter Milan (3-5-2): Samir Handanovic; Alessandro Bastoni, Stefan de Vrij, Milan Skriniar; Federico Dimarco, Denzel Dumfries, Marcelo Brozovic, Hakan Calhanoglu, Nicolo Barella; Edin Dzeko, Lautaro Martinez.

Bayern Munich (4-4-2): Manuel Neuer; Alphonso Davies, Lucas Hernandez, Matthijs de Light, Benjamin Pavard; Joshua Kimmich, Marcel Sabitzer, Jamal Musiala, Kingsley Coman; Thomas Muller, Sadio Mane.