Inter Milan v Manchester United – 2008-2009 Champions League Preview
Inter Milan v Manchester United
First Leg: Giuseppe Meazza, Tuesday, February 24 2009.
Second Leg: Old Trafford, Wednesday, March 11 2009.
This was the matchup that everyone was hoping for. Two of the most storied franchises in history meeting each other in the Round of 16. Two of the pre-tournament favorites battling for the right to continue their European dream. Some of the biggest names in football fighting it out on the pitch with Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand, Edwin Van der Sar, and Dimitar Berbatov taking on Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Javier Zanetti, Dejan Stankovic, Marco Materazzi, and Esteban Cambiasso.
And, of course, there’s the running subplot involving two of the greatest managers in the world as Sir Alex Ferguson will try to add to his trophy collection at the expense of the man that many think will replace him at Old Trafford in Jose Mourinho.
When this fixture was first announced, it seemed as if Manchester United’s European quest were in serious danger. Inter Milan were firing on all cylinders and looked like they were going to cruise to a victory. They had a huge lead in Serie A and could concentrate on this match while United were still trying find their form in the Premiership. Moreover, with Nemanja Vidic’s red-card in the World Club Championships, Manchester United’s rash of injuries, and Mourinho’s excellent record against Sir Alex Ferguson (he has 6 wins and 5 draws in 12 career meetings with “Mr. Alex”), it seemed as if United were looking down the barrel of their first exit in the Round of 16 since 2004-2005.
However, Inter Milan have been erratic as of late, drawing against Torino and getting thrashed by Atalanta. They remain in first place by a healthy margin, however, the troops have been restless. They had a dreaded “players only” meeting after the disappointment against Torino, and The Special One has been making headlines for the wrong reasons (criticizing his team after the Atalanta match, blasting the refs, clashing with Adriano and Quaresma, for example).
Mourinho doesn’t seem happy in Italy, as he’s made numerous comments about heading back to England, including a recent press conference where he openly stated his desire to go back to Chelsea some day amid some reports that indicate that “some day” could mean “this summer.”
Meanwhile, United have been playing their best football of the year, reeling off 13 consecutive clean sheets and moving into first place in the Premiership. Plus, United will have the advantage of playing the second-leg at home, where they have been unbeatable.
The player on the spot could very well be young Jonny Evans. Manchester United will be without Vidic for the first match, and Evans, who has been injured but is expected back for this clash, could have the monumental task of having to keep Ibrahimovic in check. How he does in Vidic’s absence could determine whether United go through or go home.
In any event, this should be a great fixture that could very well determine who goes on to win the Champions League.
Back to all 16 teams in the 08-09 Champions League Second Round Preview.
See Also:
Inter Milan vs. Manchester United: Presenting the PLAYERS
Inter Milan v Manchester United – Live Blog
Topics: English Premier League, Inter Milan, Manchester United, Serie A, UEFA Champions League
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Vidic’s ban was pure bs… Two years ago the clubs world cup had nothing to do with the CL, and NOW it does? That simply pisses me off…
February 17th, 2009 @ 14:45I have faith in young Jonny Evans, he has been amazing in the league and cups and has proven to be a top quality player even at his age already, In addition Evra will hopefully be okay for the game and in my opinion he makes United ino a totally different side when he plays, he adds a ruthless attacking streak and his presence will make up for Nemanja’s absence
February 17th, 2009 @ 15:04We all have faith in the Sir and his boys. The special one will go down this time.
February 17th, 2009 @ 19:54The MU defense have never faced a team like this year’s Inter. Two big, strong and skillfull forwards like Ibra and Adriano that go against far stronger defenses than MU week in and week out. Plus, some of the best players of the Argentine and Brazilian (and the only great player on the Swedish national team) national teams will wreak havoc on MU. There may be one Italian on the Inter team, a very young but very skillful defender named Santon. But after all, the team is called Internazionale (International) for that very reason.
February 18th, 2009 @ 02:38@Fred – oh, so there are defenses in Italy that haven’t conceded a goal in the last 3 months?
February 18th, 2009 @ 06:58Manchester United is always the best team and they would always remain the best.To hail with inter’s ibra and andrianonsense MU defense are always ready to face who so ever
February 18th, 2009 @ 13:54@ Fred
I’m pretty sure that even if they were called Domestic Milan, they would still have a bunch of foreigners on the team. That’s just where football is heading. Now, if FIFA imposes their foreigner quotas, then it will be another story.
February 18th, 2009 @ 15:50This preview, particularly it’s summery of Inter Milan, is quite dissapointing. They are one of the biggest clubs in Europe, so to include so many errors in this small of an “in-depth” preview indicates one of two things:
1) The author is more concerned with the numerous Manchester United fans who populate this site, and would rather placate them than objectively preview the match.
2) The author did absolutely no research and based this preview off of the player ratings in Fifa ’09 and three headlines he saw about Inter a few months ago.
Either way, it does not look good for the site.
February 18th, 2009 @ 17:18If I made errors, then I’ll correct them. By not pointing them out, it’s clear that you put no effort into your comment. How “dissappointing.”
February 19th, 2009 @ 17:40You tell him, lol
February 19th, 2009 @ 22:56b-52 – I’ll be the judge of what looks good or not for the site, thank you very much.
I appreciate criticism, we’re not going to improve if no one tells us what we’re not doing right, but if you’re going to talk out of your arse please don’t hit the ‘submit’ button, you’re wasting your time and ours.
As Victor said, b-52 and everyone else, please tell us what’s wrong, just whinging about how we’re not predicting that your team will win isn’t going to help anyone.
February 20th, 2009 @ 05:30Lol b-52. Thats what I call sour grapes!
February 20th, 2009 @ 06:02Some nice bombs dropped on B-52 there and well deserved!
As for Fred, if there’s a better defence anywhere than Utd’s, never mind just Italy, please suggest where as i’d like to see them play!
Regarding the tie, i think it will be a very tough contest between two quality sides.
February 20th, 2009 @ 10:02just inter .inter will be winner..
February 20th, 2009 @ 10:06Sigh Im not so sure Evans is going to a capable replacement for Nemanja. Ibra is no walk in the park for a defender.
February 21st, 2009 @ 21:10I just wish Brown would have covered for Vidic
February 21st, 2009 @ 21:11menurut saya inter pasti kalah dan akan dihajar karena adriano dan ibrahim kakean ngocot
February 22nd, 2009 @ 06:43Common guy Manchester is better than inter de Milan fuck ibrahimovic and adriano and all the guys that says that inter is going to qualify
February 22nd, 2009 @ 20:55Man Utd, all the way…there is nothing better in this world, Inter Milan is going down…then we r gonna run through Barcelona next and on to the Finals, and eventually Champions like last season
February 23rd, 2009 @ 03:42i just want to congratulate the devils and wish them every bit of success as they prepare to beat inter.nothing can stop man u from thrashing the italian giants.
February 23rd, 2009 @ 14:11i dont care about inter or ibra, all i know is a winning game against inter.
February 23rd, 2009 @ 18:46U can fuck everyone but Inter would still qaulify. The special one will trumph!!
February 23rd, 2009 @ 22:05every thing good comes to an end.am a man u fan but am prety scared outa my head but an away draw would work well for us better stil with an away goal.we shall wait for our time wen they visit us at old traford.i bet ma arse man utd will triumph over inter
February 24th, 2009 @ 00:10My team for tonight
Van der sar
Rafael Ferdinand Evans Evra
Ronaldo Scholes Carrick Nani
Rooney Berbatov
I can really see Man United winning the 6 cups this season. 2 down, 4 to go. could be a 3rd this sunday and how it is looking now the premiership is staying where it belongs. I’m looking forward to a good 2 days of champions league football.
February 24th, 2009 @ 03:27@Fred Johns . How is Raphael going to suddenly heal in a superman fashion?
February 24th, 2009 @ 07:45Mya Dear ,the Special one ,Jose Maria ,Mister Details will do the same thing like in 25 february 2004 when he was in FC POLTO remember !!! Bravo Jose Mourinho Courage !
February 24th, 2009 @ 11:56Roverpool ,Arsenal are in denger you know?
February 24th, 2009 @ 12:00Ishaq, my bad i just didnt think he would play neville. There is a possibility he will play Fabio. come on united.
February 24th, 2009 @ 16:49inter milan yesssssssssssssss
February 24th, 2009 @ 17:36i don’t care about ibra or adriano and everybody know that manchester united are gonna winnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn.and its gonna b a clean sheet of van der sar the gr8.
February 24th, 2009 @ 16:50the best player cristiano ronaldo is gonna score and berba also……………………………………………….
February 24th, 2009 @ 16:52Have added a See Also: Inter Milan vs. Manchester United: Presenting the PLAYERS section in the article. Feel free to have a look.
February 24th, 2009 @ 18:46MANCHESTERS iz the best
September 2nd, 2009 @ 15:36