Liverpool v Inter Milan - Champions League 2nd Round Preview
The last few seasons have seen Inter Milan take a strangehold over the rest of Italian football, as the Nerazzurri have won back to back Scudettos in the last two seasons, along with back to back Coppa Italia trophies in 2004-05 and 2005-06.
This season has been no different, as Inter appear to be well on their way to a third straight championship, and are in the Coppa Italia quarterfinals.
However, that same success hasnt occurred in Europe. Inter did win three UEFA Cups in the 1990s, and made a fourth final, but they havent reached a European Cup final since 1972 and havent lifted the trophy since 1965. In that time span, stadium sharers AC Milan have won six European Cups and made nine finals.
While Inter are dominant domestically, its the complete opposite for Liverpool, who have excellend in Europe the last few years, becoming the champions of Europe in 2005 and finishing runner-up to AC Milan in last seasons competition.
At the same time though, the Reds havent come close to adding to their record 18 English top-flight titles, and it doesnt look like they will this season, as they are well behind table-toppers Manchester United and Arsenal with much of the season still to go.
But, while they havent been able to break through in the league in the last couple of decades, the Reds have established quite the reputation as a cup team, winning three FA Cups, three League Cups, two Community Shields, one UEFA Cup, two Super Cups, and of course, their Champions League title in 2005.
So, they are where they should be right now, even though its been a bumpy road to get there.
This hasnt been the best of seasons, both on and off of the pitch. The off-pitch issues have been well-documented on Soccerlens, so Ill spare you from having to read further about them. On the pitch, however, things havent been so harmonious either, as instead of a power struggle, its been a struggle for consistency.
In Europe, the fork was almost piercing the skin after a poor start in the group phase, but the Reds obliterated their final three opponents to get to the round of 16.
Its not a matter of whether or not Liverpool are good enough to win this tie, or for that matter, make another run to the Champions League final, because theyve proved time and again, when the chips are down, and when theyre on the biggest stage, they know how to get it done.
But, their yo-yoing form makes this one hard to predict.
They dont have any problems scoring at home - 10 of their last 12 home ties have seen them with two or more goals on the scoreboard, with three or more coming seven times. On the other hand, it appears that they could use some Viagra for their impotence in front of goal when theyre not at Anfield. Outside of a 4-0 thrashing at Marseille, a win that secured their qualification for the knockout round, theyve struggled mightily to find goals away.
Its certainly not for a lack of scorers. Fernando Torres has delivered, firing in 18 goals thus far, and Steven Gerrard has scored 16 times and provided on nearly just as many. And Peter Crouch, as dead in the water as he was supposed to be, has actually woken up lately, with four goals in seven appearances.
On the other hand, however, Dirk Kuyt hasnt scored since late November, Ryan Babel has hit the proverbial wall as well, and Yossi Benayoun is all about getting his goals in bunches (10 goals this season, six from two hat tricks).
Defensively though, the Reds have been solid all season long, and have one of the best defensive records in the Premier League, and theyll need that defense to be an impenetrable fortress against Inter.
The Nerazzurri have lost only once this season, and their scoring exploits have been a big reason why - Inter havent scored two or more goals in only eight of 32 matches this season, and in those 24 matches, they have a record of 22 wins and two draws. Thats half decent, I suppose.
Their biggest contributions have come from the partnership of Zlatan Ibrahimovic (19 goals) and Julio Cruz (15), which has certainly proved effective, especially because the 33-year old Cruz is having one of the best seasons of his career.
At the other end, they havent been too shabby either, as theyve allowed two goals only six times, and thanks to their aforementioned scoring prowess, havent lost any of those ties (four wins, two draws). Their only defeat this season? A 1-0 setback at Fenerbahce, who, if you read their round of 16 preview, is pretty good in their backyard.
If you want to go off of recent form, we should see the good Liverpool in the first leg. That means that, even if it doesnt wind up showing on the score sheet (thanks to two quality defenses, with two quality keepers), we could and should be in for an enthralling tie at Anfield.
If it ends up being a 0-0 or 1-1 draw, Ill be disappointed, but if Liverpool can somehow hold Inter scoreless in the first leg, that will do wonders for their confidences, and their chances of progression.
But, Inters consistency over the entire season, both at home and away, and conversely, Liverpools unpredictability, are why Roberto Mancinis side should come out on top in this matchup.
However, you can never count Liverpool out of any tie. History has proved that one, multiple times (2005 Champions League final vs. AC Milan, anyone?). So, while the odds certainly dont favor them, it wont be an upset in the least if theyre able to dump Inter out.
Will they be able to make big things happen against another Italian giant? Or will it be Inter who move one step closer to breaking their long drought in the Champions League?
Inter vs Liverpool CL PreviewEvo ostalih previewova:
Arsenal vs AC MilanRoma vs Real MadridCeltic vs BarcelonaSevilla vs FenerbahceChelsea vs OlympiakosMan Utd vs LyonPorto vs Schalke 04
