Champions League Final Running Blog: Bayern Munich vs. Inter

The Champions League final is finally here, and it will be on display for a national audience here in the United States for the first time, as the game will be shown on FOX at 2:30 PM ET. It’ll pit two teams with very contrasting styles, as the defensive-minded Inter Milan will try to shut down the aggressive attack of Bayern Munich.

It’ll likely be Jose Mourinho‘s final game with Inter, as it’s pretty much a lock at this point that he’ll head to Real Madrid in a few weeks. For Louis van Gaal and Bayern Munich, they’ll play the underdog role today, as after Inter’s defeat of Barcelona in the semis has led many to already crown the Nerazzurri as the 2010 winner.

But this one will be close, and I’m predicting that Inter grinds it out for a 2-1 victory.

Join me this afternoon for a running blog of today’s game and let your thoughts be known in the comment section below!

2:25 ET: Only a bout a half-hour away from the action getting underway in Madrid!

2:45 ET: And we’re off! Bayern Munich vs. Inter!

2:57 ET: A slow start to this one, which is to be expected given the way Inter plays.

3:01 ET: A few great chances here for van Gaal and company. Ball staying with Munchen for the most part.

3:03 ET: And now Inter misses on a few opportunities. Good action here thus far!

3:09 ET: We all kind of believed that this could be a 1-0 type of game, and it’s holding to form 25 minutes in. Both are getting attempts, but none of the shots have really been threatening.

3:14 ET: Perhaps if Inter could get the ball, they could score. But Bayern Munich COMPLETELY controlling possession in this one, which makes perfect sense. Bayern = attack-minded, Inter = defensive-minded.

3:17 ET: Open shot for Muller, but it just kept on a risin’.

3:19 ET: GOOOOAAALLLL!!!! Milito gets behind the defense, and puts it in the net in the 35th minute. 1-0, Inter!

3:25 ET: Momentum completely in Inter’s favor right now.

3:28 ET: Ahhh! A great pass by Milito to Sneijder there, but he sticks it right at the goalkeeper, who turns it away.

3:32 ET: And we’ve reached the half, with Inter carrying a 1-0 lead into the locker room. A good first half of action, and though Bayern Munich completely controlled the ball for the most part, Inter found ways to get off good shots, which led to Milito scoring the only goal of the half. Mourinho will definitely shut it down in the second half, and will switch to conservative counter-attack mode to try and hold this lead.

3:49 ET: Second half is underway, with Bayern Munich on the attack (of course).

3:55 ET: Mourinho’s squad once again using their defense to create offense. Just beautifully done.

3:57 ET: And as soon as I compliment them, they do something that almost costs them a goal. I’ll refrain from complimenting anymore.

4:05 ET: Big opportunity on the free kick here for Bayern Munich.

4:08 ET: Oh so close for Robben there. Almost tied this thing up.

4:13 ET: And there it is! GOOOAAALLLL!!! Diego Milito does it once again, with an outstanding move, and that should just about do it. In order to make my prediction correct, I would like Bayern Munich to score at least one goal. 2-0, Inter!

4:21 ET: Van Bommel takes down Milito, much to the dislike of Inter fans. Milito is up though, so nothing serious.

4:31 ET: It’s just simple arithmetic at this point boys and girls. Only two minutes left, and Inter is going to win the 2010 Champions League.

4:34 ET: Now we’ll just wait and see what happens with Mourinho. I think he’s definitely gone to Real Madrid after this victory, since he’s done all he can do at Inter. As for Bayern Munich, they were just outmatched. But they are still one of the great football teams in the world.

4:36 ET: That’s it! Inter completes the treble, and what a way to cap it off a great season in style, with a shutout of a great attacking squad like Bayern Munich. Congrats to Mourinho and his squad!