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On Wednesday, two more Champions League round of 16 matches will be played - last season's finalists Milan "Inter" and Munich "Bayern" will face off in Italy, while "Marseille" will host "Man Utd".
"Inter" - "Bayern"
The last time these teams met was in May last year - they were both just a step away from the Champions League trophy. They were heading to the tournament final, where success accompanied Milan's "Inter" and Jose Mourinho.
Now the giants of Italian and German football meet in the round of 16, where over two matches they will determine which team is stronger this season.
It has been a difficult season for both teams. "Inter," having won three titles, currently sits in third place in the Italian championship and is five points behind the leader "Milan".
"Bayern" also ranks third, but Dortmund's advantage over the Bavarians is as much as 13 points.
"I think it's almost impossible for us to win the German championship this season," said forward Arjen Robben. "We have much more hope in the Champions League."
"Bayern" is facing defensive problems - Philipp Lahm plays on the right flank, while Holger Badstuber has been moved to the center, leaving two places open. Anatoliy Tymoshchuk, Luiz Gustavo, Breno, and Danijel Pranjic are competing for those positions.
Germans can at least rejoice in the fact that Mario Gomez, who has scored more than twenty goals this season, has recovered from a minor injury and will be able to play.
Additionally, "Bayern" has Robben and Franck Ribery - players considered leaders. However, coach Louis van Gaal affirmed: "In my opinion, we are not dependent on them. We have many players who all need to play well. They also need a great coach."
"Inter" will be without last season's final hero Diego Milito, likely replaced by Goran Pandev. Wesley Sneijder and Lucio missed the last Italian league match but are available to play. Cristian Chivu, who has recently been suspended, is also ready.
Coach of the Milan club, Leonardo, said: "We are champions, so we must act accordingly. We can defeat anyone and must fight with all our might. It will be a new story, not the same final we won."
Match preview clip:
"Marseille" - "Man Utd"
English league leaders "Man Utd" face a tough challenge - a trip to Marseille, where the local "Marseille" will try to prove they can compete successfully with one of the most powerful teams on the Old Continent.
The English team arrives with thin ranks - Rio Ferdinand will not play due to injury, so the center-back tandem with Nemanja Vidic will likely be Chris Smalling. Also, Sir Alex Ferguson will be without another defender Jonny Evans, midfielder Anderson, veteran Ryan Giggs, and striker Michael Owen.
Therefore, young players Joshua King and Ryan Tunnicliffe have been included in the squad.
"Marseille" also suffered losses - attacker Andre Pierre Gignac will be out for two weeks. It will only be clear right before the match whether Loic Remy and Brandao will take to the field.
French coach Didier Deschamps hinted that his players would be satisfied with a draw: "Defending well is great, but we can also cause problems for our opponents.
"If our rivals play at 100 percent, it will be very difficult. "Man Utd" are one of the favorites to win the entire tournament. It would be logical if they advance to the next stage."
Meanwhile, "Man Utd" coach Sir Alex Ferguson said: "We have four away matches ahead of us, so an interesting challenge awaits us. The Champions League is an open tournament - many teams can win it. Now the real competition begins."
