UEFA Champions League: Bayern Munich
vs Inter Milan Preview – April 8, 2025
The UEFA Champions League returns
with a heavyweight clash as Bayern Munich welcome Inter Milan to the Allianz
Arena for the first leg of their quarter-final tie on Tuesday, April 8, 2025.
A match steeped in history, quality, and European pedigree, this encounter
promises a thrilling display of tactical intelligence and elite-level football.
With both sides fighting for continental glory, all eyes will be on Munich for
what could be a defining night in this season’s competition.
Event
Details
- Fixture:
Bayern Munich vs Inter Milan
- Competition:
UEFA Champions League – Quarter-final (1st Leg)
- Date:
Tuesday, April 8, 2025
- Kick-off Time:
8:00 PM BST / 3:00 PM ET / 12:00 PM PT / 9:00 PM CET
- Venue:
Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany
- Referee:
To be confirmed
- VAR:
To be confirmed
How
to Watch / Live Stream
- United Kingdom:
TNT Sports, Discovery+
- United States:
Paramount+, CBS Sports Network
- Canada:
DAZN
- India:
Sony Sports Network, SonyLIV
- Australia:
Stan Sport
- Online Streams (Global): UEFA.tv (highlights and replays), official club
websites
Team
News
Bayern
Munich
Bayern enter this fixture on the
back of a turbulent domestic season, with changes in management and
inconsistent Bundesliga form. However, their Champions League performances have
remained impressive, brushing aside Lazio in the Round of 16. Thomas Tuchel,
despite recent criticism, will be expected to deliver in Europe.
Injuries/Suspensions:
- Sacha Boey
– Ruled out due to a hamstring injury
- Tarek Buchmann
– Long-term injury (knee)
- Kingsley Coman
– Doubtful with a muscular problem
- Aleksandar Pavloviฤ
– Suspended for yellow card accumulation
- Noussair Mazraoui
– Late fitness test
Key Players:
- Harry Kane
– The English striker is having a phenomenal season and will be Bayern’s
main threat up front.
- Jamal Musiala
– The young German midfielder is capable of turning a game with his
dribbling and creativity.
- Joshua Kimmich
– A leader in midfield, Kimmich’s ability to control tempo and break up
play is crucial.
Inter
Milan
Inter have been one of the most
consistent sides in Europe this season under Simone Inzaghi. They overcame
Atlรฉtico Madrid in a tense Round of 16 tie and are leading Serie A comfortably.
Their squad depth and tactical flexibility make them serious contenders in this
competition.
Injuries/Suspensions:
- Juan Cuadrado
– Out with Achilles tendon issues
- Stefan de Vrij
– Expected to return, but not yet 100% match fit
- Marko Arnautoviฤ
– Minor injury, but may feature off the bench
Key Players:
- Lautaro Martรญnez
– Inter’s captain and top scorer, Martรญnez is in sublime form this season.
- Hakan รalhanoฤlu
– Orchestrating the midfield with precision passing and set-piece threat.
- Alessandro Bastoni
– A rock at the back, key to Inter’s defensive structure.
Possible
Lineups
Bayern
Munich (4-2-3-1)
- Goalkeeper:
Manuel Neuer
- Defenders:
Joshua Kimmich, Matthijs de Ligt, Kim Min-jae, Alphonso Davies
- Midfielders:
Leon Goretzka, Konrad Laimer
- Attacking Midfield:
Leroy Sanรฉ, Jamal Musiala, Serge Gnabry
- Forward:
Harry Kane
Inter
Milan (3-5-2)
- Goalkeeper:
Yann Sommer
- Defenders:
Benjamin Pavard, Francesco Acerbi, Alessandro Bastoni
- Wing-backs:
Denzel Dumfries, Federico Dimarco
- Midfielders:
Nicolรฒ Barella, Hakan รalhanoฤlu, Henrikh Mkhitaryan
- Forwards:
Marcus Thuram, Lautaro Martรญnez
Playing
Ground: Allianz Arena
The Allianz Arena is one of Europe’s
premier stadiums. With a capacity of around 75,000, it offers an intense and
vibrant atmosphere that has historically been intimidating for visiting sides.
The stadium’s state-of-the-art design and electric fanbase make it a fortress
for Bayern in Champions League nights.
Head-to-Head
Record
Bayern and Inter share a
long-standing rivalry in European competition:
- Total Matches Played:
9
- Bayern Wins:
4
- Inter Wins:
4
- Draws:
1
Most Recent Meeting:
- UEFA Champions League Group Stage – November 1, 2022: Bayern 2-0 Inter (Musiala, Choupo-Moting)
Notable Past Encounters:
- 2010 Champions League Final: Inter 2-0 Bayern (Goals by Diego Milito) – Inter
lifted the title under Josรฉ Mourinho
- 2011 Round of 16:
Inter won on away goals after a 3-3 aggregate tie
Match
Preview & Tactical Breakdown
Bayern
Munich’s Approach
Thomas Tuchel is expected to line
his team up in a structured 4-2-3-1, focusing on dominating possession and
quick transitions through the likes of Musiala and Sanรฉ. With Kane up front,
Bayern have a clinical finisher who can capitalize on minimal chances.
Key for Bayern will be:
- Exploiting Inter’s wing-backs with wide overloads
- Kimmich's distribution from deep
- Defensive solidity from De Ligt and Kim Min-jae
However, Bayern’s midfield without
Pavloviฤ could be a concern. Inter’s intensity and numbers in the middle of the
park might pose a challenge.
Inter
Milan’s Tactics
Simone Inzaghi has built one of the
most cohesive teams in Europe. Their 3-5-2 formation provides defensive
stability and allows for fluid counter-attacks. The Martinez-Thuram partnership
is built on movement and pressing, which can unsettle Bayern’s backline.
Tactically, Inter will aim to:
- Stay compact and break with pace through Dumfries and Dimarco
- Dominate second balls with รalhanoฤlu and Barella
- Target Bayern’s full-backs when pushing forward
Key
Battles
- Harry Kane vs Francesco Acerbi: Kane’s movement and link-up play against the
experienced Italian defender will be crucial.
- Musiala vs Barella:
A duel of two high-energy, technical midfielders who can drive their teams
forward.
- Sanรฉ vs Dimarco:
Bayern’s pacey winger will look to test Inter’s high-flying wing-back, who
may leave space in behind.
Prediction
This tie is too close to call, with
both teams carrying strengths and a few vulnerabilities. Bayern may have the
edge in terms of individual brilliance, but Inter’s cohesion and balance could
frustrate them.
Predicted Score: Bayern Munich 2-1
Inter Milan
Conclusion
Bayern vs Inter is a classic
Champions League battle between two of Europe’s giants. With a mix of tactical
sophistication, star power, and historical rivalry, this match is expected to
deliver fireworks. Whether it’s Kane’s clinical finishing or Lautaro’s
leadership and flair, this quarter-final has all the ingredients of a European
classic.
Fans across the globe should prepare
for a high-octane 90 minutes at the Allianz Arena — a clash that could very
well decide who moves a step closer to lifting the 2025 UEFA Champions League
trophy.