Inter Milan v Bayern Munich predicted XIs: Team news as Salihamidzic rules out “crazy” Musiala departure
One of toughest Champions League groups this year gets underway when Inter Milan host Bayern Munich on Wednesday at 8pm (UK time).
The Italian and German giants are joined in Group C by Barcelona (and Viktoria Plzen) with an incredible 14 Champions League titles between them. Bayern were the most recent of the three sides to lift the Champions League, in 2020, with Barcelona’s last success coming in 2015 and Inter Milan’s in 2010.
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Inter Milan team news vs Bayern Munich: Make this bit bespoke to an angle or leave blank
- Outs: Romelu Lukaku, Dalbert
- Doubts: None
According to reports, Romelu Lukaku has returned to Belgium to continue his rehabilitation following a thigh injury, which would rule him out of Wednesday’s game.
The Belgian has missed the past two matches for Inter, with Joaquin Correa joining Lautaro Martinez in attack for the defeat against AC Milan at the weekend. That pairing is likely to continue, though Edin Dzeko will be hoping to take a place in the starting XI after scoring in his substitute appearance.
Robin Gosens did return to the bench in the derby defeat and could look for more minutes following his return from injury, being given a late cameo.
Predicted Inter Milan XI vs Bayern Munich:
- Handanovic; Skriniar, Bastoni, De Vrij; Dumfries, Calhanoglu, Barella, Brozovic, Darmian; Correa, Martinez. (3-5-2)
Bayern Munich team news vs Inter Milan: Make this bit bespoke to an angle or leave blank
- Outs: Bouna Sarr
- Doubts: None
Bouna Sarr is Bayern’s only absentee but Julian Nagelsmann is likely to make changes from the side which drew against Union Berlin at the weekend, with Thomas Muller certain to start. The question is, who does he replace? Jamal Musiala made his return to the starting XI following injury at the weekend and is likely to keep his place, albeit moving back over to the left with Leroy Sane dropping out.
Musiala has had a flying start to the new season, becoming an integral part of Nagelsmann’s starting XI, and has already scored five goals in six matches – including three in the Bundesliga. One of Germany’s brightest young stars, Musiala is being tipped for greatness and will no doubt be subject of interest from clubs across Europe – just as Germany had a bit of a fight in securing his international future with England lurking.
But Bayern sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic has no intention of selling Musiala, dubbing the concept “crazy”.
“We brought him years ago and already saw great qualities in him,” he told Sky Sport Deutschland.
“The fact he developed this way is also partly due to our coaching teams and players. It’s fun to watch him. He’s a big win for our team. It’s important he stays at Bayern for a long time.”
What if a PL club bid €120m for him next year?
When asked what if a Premier League club bid €120m for him next year, Salihamidzic added: “We want to be successful, we want to offer our players attractive football. It’s important that Jamal plays for Bayern for a long time.
“Of course he is not for sale. He is an amazing guy, a German international. We need players like that. I would be crazy to think about letting him go. He will play for Bayern for a long time.”
Predicted Bayern Munich XI vs Inter Milan:
- Neuer; Pavard, Upamecano, Hernandez, Davies; Sabitzer, Kimmich; Muller, Musiala; Gnabry, Mane. (4-2-2-2)
