INTER MILAN TOPS BAYERN MUNICH TO WIN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Inter Milan wrapped up their most successful season in history on Saturday, beating Bayern Munich 2-0 to clinch the Champions League title.  Diego Milito scored both goals for the Italian side, who became the first team in their country’s history to win three championships in one year as they added the Champions League crown to their Coppa Italia and Serie A titles.  Internazionale’s inimitable field general Jose Mourinho became only the third coach to win the European title with two different clubs.

Soccer betting enthusiasts that backed Inter Milan as -155 favorites to claim the Champions League title were rewarded with their historic victory.  Takeback on Bayern Munich to win the title was priced at +135.  Inter also gained victory within regulation time, cashing tickets on ‘three way’ wagers at +220.  Totals wagers pushed, with the O/U for the game set at 2 OVER -130,with the UNDER priced at +110.

The game was vintage Inter Milan, as they defended well and waited for an opportunity to counterattack.  The first such chance came after an evenly contested half hour, when a long clearing punt out of the Inter Milan defensive zone was gathered in by Diego Milito who quickly got the ball to Wesley Sneijder.  Sneijder immediately found his teammate with a perfect pass, allowing Milito to advance into the penalty area and unleash a nasty rising shot that Bayern Munich goaltender Jorg Butt had no chance to stop.

Inter Milan increased their lead in the 70th minute as Samuel Eto'o did the setup work for Milito.  Milito took the ball 35 yards out and shredded the Bayern Munich defense before a perfectly placed finish for his second goal of the game.  Milito had several other good chances in the contest—most set up by the superb play of Sneijder—but ultimately his pair of goals proved more than enough to give his side the victory.

For the game, Bayern Munich controlled the time of possession 70% to 30% and held a 21 to 12 shots advantage.  In classic Inter Milan fashion, however, only 3 of Bayern’s efforts were legitimate scoring chances with most shots coming from long range and causing no trouble for goalkeeper Julio Cesar.  By contrast, 7 of Inter’s 12 shots were on goal—a testament to the success of their tenacious counterattacking style.

With the Champions League title secured, the focus of the Inter Milan faithful will now turn to issues off the field.  In particular, Jose Mourinho appears set to leave Italy to take over Spanish La Liga side Real Madrid.  Mourinho all but confirmed that he was leaving after the game, but with his well known flair for the dramatic did so with the cryptic statement “My work here is done.”  Some sources have suggested that Mourinho had a deal in place prior to the game though he dismissed these claims in his post game interviews.