Inter Milan vs Bayern Munich preview - Gomez: Defeating Inter is not about revenge
Posted Wednesday, February 23, 2011 by PA
Bayern Munich see their Champions League last-16 clash with Inter Milan as a chance to set the record straight.
Bayern travel to Italy for a repeat of last year's final, which Inter won 2-0 thanks to goals from Diego Milito.
While Bayern's Mario Gomez insists the match is not about revenge, the Germans do want to show last summer's result was a one-off.
"It's not a revenge mission," Gomez said. "It's not the Champions League trophy at stake, it's about reaching the next round. This is a different team, and we're in a different situation."
Midfielder Thomas Muller, who missed a great chance to equalise in the final when it was still 1-0, believes they can get a different result this time.
"It won't exactly be a stroll, but looking at it objectively, we have to be able to go through," he said.
"They weren't unbeatable in the final last year. We were our own worst enemies to a certain extent."
Both Gomez and goalkeeper Thomas Kraft have been declared fit for the game after shaking off injuries.
"I'm fit and everything's okay," Kraft said, only days after being substituted at half-time of the Bundesliga game against Mainz with a head injury.
Gomez had been struggling with an ankle injury.
"It's okay now," he said. "I don't think it'll be a problem for Wednesday."
Only Ivica Olic, who is out for the season, is missing for Bayern.
Inter Milan coach Leonardo believes the match comes at the right time for his players.
Inter go into the contest having won five of their last six league games.
"The team has responded really well in what has been a challenging calendar," said Leonardo.
"We come into this Champions League match full of motivation.
"Inter are the defending champions and we will fight against anyone.
"We will battle with all our strength because my team has the capacity to face adversity and this makes me feel strong.
"Against Bayern, we will play as a team of champions."
Last weekend's 1-0 triumph over Cagliari allowed the Nerazzurri to get back in the Scudetto race.
They are third in the Serie A standings, five points behind league leaders AC Milan.
Against Bayern, Inter will be without Argentina striker Milito who is out with a thigh strain, while winter-transfer signing Giampaolo Pazzini cannot play after featuring in the competition with Sampdoria earlier this season.
Samuel Eto'o, who is the competition's leading scorer with seven goals, will lead Inter's attack alongside Goran Pandev.
Defender Lucio and midfielder Wesley Sneijder have recovered from their respective injuries and could feature against Bayern.
Leonardo is looking forward to a game against a side coached by Louis van Gaal.
"The Champions League sees great players, top teams with big aims battle it out," he said. "I expect an open game.
"Inter and Bayern are two teams that have the resources to play at the same level."
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