Sforza: ‘Inter favourites in Champions with Bayern Munich’

Former Inter and Bayern Munich midfielder Ciriaco Sforza feels the Italians are the ‘favourites’ going into the Champions quarter-final. ‘They will create huge problems for Bayern Munich.’

The first leg is on Tuesday evening at the Allianz Stadium in Munich.

German newspaper Das Bild spoke to Switzerland international Sforza, who has experience of playing for both clubs in his career.

“Seeing the situations of the two teams right now, I think Inter are the favourites,” said the 55-year-old.

“This is a side that will create huge problems for Bayern Munich. The Nerazzurri are well-drilled, have kept that structure for two or three years, and found their perfect system in a 3-5-2.”

Sforza wore the Inter jersey in the 1996-97 campaign, while he had two different spells with Bayern Munich in 1995-96 and again from 2000 to the summer of 2002.

Inter tipped to beat Bayern Munich

On top of their form and the work of their coaches, Sforza also feels that Bayern Munich are at a disadvantage due to the massive injury crisis that has hit the team in recent weeks.

They will be without Manuel Neuer, Jamal Musiala, Dayot Upamecano, Kingsley Coman, Hiroki Ito, Alphonso Davies, Aleksandar Pavlovic and Tarek Buchmann.

“Squad rotation can obviously cause issues. Bayern Munich must be permanently on full alert in defence and have two great nights in order to beat Inter. Having said that, what has always made Bayern strong is their ability to raise their game in the most important fixtures.”

The second leg will be at San Siro on Wednesday April 16 and the away goals rule no longer applies in Europe.

Kristjan Asllani is suspended for the first leg, with Denzel Dumfries, Mehdi Taremi and Piotr Zielinski expected to miss out.