Jose Mourinho will aim to rise from a self-acclaimed ‘Special One’ status to that of a legend by winning the UEFA Champions League final on Saturday but Bayern Munich and Louis van Gaal are ready to crush the Inter Milan manager’s dreams.
It is likely that Mourinho already views himself as a king of the continent following a previous success in the European Cup with Porto before his achievements at Chelsea, however, his work at Inter could eclipse all that he has done before.
With the Serie A title and Copa Italia already secured, Inter are on the brink of an historic Treble which could be achieved with a first European Cup in 45 years, while it would also offer Mourinho the chance to join an elite group of managers who have won the competition with more than one club.
For Mourinho then, the stage is perfectly set for his particular brand of dramatic publicity and he has been courting the pre-match media in style as kick-off approaches at the Bernabeu.
To add spice to the story, it is also ironic that the meeting with Bayern will take place in Spain’s capital where, if reports are correct, Mourinho is set to be managing Real Madrid next season to mean the final could be his last act as Inter boss.
Bayern, though, are not prepared to play the supporting cast and have matched Inter in their impressive season following a rejuvenation under manager Van Gaal, who was thought to be close to the sack in the winter.
Drama
In some quarters this match is being billed as ‘God versus Son of God’, with Van Gaal having acted as a mentor for Mourinho’s early career having offered him a break as his assistant at Barcelona in the late 1990s.
Bayern are themselves fighting for the Treble after finishing on top in a dramatic Bundesliga season and lifting the German cup to allow Van Gaal, a European Cup winner with Ajax in 1995, to reinforce his reputation as one of the world’s best coaches.
But while the Dutchman’s achievements have offered him the opportunity for a little broadside at Mourinho, “I think I educated Jose a little but he trains to win, I train to play beautiful football and win. My way is more difficult”, he remains aware of the threat.
Having advanced from Group F, Inter have stunned Chelsea, seen off CSKA Moscow and shocked holders Barcelona in the knockout stages to demonstrate that they have progressed from previously perennial European underachievers to arrive at the final as favourites.
Bayern, though, have also impressed after coming through Group A to eliminate Fiorentina, Manchester United and Lyon to set up a fascinating meeting with their Italian opponents.
Neither team will be at full strength at the Bernabeu as key men will be missing the showpiece event, which will be refereed by England’s Howard Webb.
Star
Inter are without Brazilian defensive midfielder Thiago Motta after he was controversially sent off in the semi-final with Barcelona.
Julio Cesar should keep his place in goal, while Maicon, Lucio, Walter Samuel and Javier Zanetti are expected to make up the defence.
Esteban Cambiasso, Goran Pandev and Cristian Chivu are likely to form a flexible midfield trio behind Samuel Eto’o, Wesley Sneijder and Diego Milito.
Bayern are without star man Franck Ribery after he failed with his appeal against his red card in the first leg of the semi-finals against Lyon.
Hans-Jorg Butt will keep his place in goal, with Philipp Lahm, the highly-rated Holger Badstuber, Daniel van Buyten and Diego Contento starting in defence.
Hamit Altintop, Mark van Bommel, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Arjen Robben are set to operate in midfield, with Ivica Olic and Thomas Muller in attack.
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Come on Jose! You can do this, they are easily beatable if you get your tactics right on the night. Bayern should never have got past Man Utd, but United screwed up on the first leg and concentration lost in second. Keep both, Jose, and its yours. Oh, by the way, hang around, we want you to take over from Fergie!!
