FC Bayern Forum

03.12.2006

Inter Milan warmed up in the best possible fashion for Tuesday's Champions League showdown against Bayern at the Allianz Arena with a 2-0 victory over AC Siena on Saturday. The result means coach Roberto Mancini's men maintain their four-point lead over AS Rome at the top of Serie A, the Italian top flight.

"Obviously I'm extremely pleased with the result. It was important to taste victory before facing Bayern," the head coach declared following the final whistle at the Giuseppe Meazza stadium. Internazionale must defeat Munich to dislodge the German champions from top spot in Champions League Group B.

<b>Cesar seals it</b>

Nicolas Burdisso (11) and Hernan Crespo (54) scored the goals to make it 11 competitive victories on the trot for the powerful Milan outfit. However, the home side were indebted to Brazil keeper Julio Cesar for saving a penalty on 49 minutes to preserve their advantage.

"Our winning streak is a real confidence booster. We're taking the field determined to continue our run," the goalkeeper commented. "This is the true character of Inter Milan. We've found our balance," Dejan Stankovic added.

<b>Crespo bent on revenge</b>

Like Bayern, the Italians are already through to the Champions League knockout stage, but the Milanese are determined to impress in Munich. "We're definitely not going there as tourists," Mancini insisted. "I want us to finish top of the group, so we play the second knockout match at home."

The Inter dressing room was itching to avenge the 2-0 home defeat when the sides met in early autumn, Crespo revealed. "We have a score to settle with Bayern. We're going to Munich looking for the win."

<b>Internazionale line-up against Siena:</b>

Julio Cesar - Maicon, Burdisso, Materazzi, Grosso (Samuel 58) – Cambiasso, Vieira, Stankovic (Maxwell 87), Zanetti - Ibrahimovic, Crespo (Figo 79)