Wednesday, 22/12/2010
INTER Milan goalkeeper Julio Cesar believes his manager Jose Mourinho “scares” opponents with his reputation alone as the Portuguese’s tactical acumen becomes a major focus of the Champions League final.
Media-specialist Mourinho is threatening to become the central focus of Europe’s final club fixture as his managerial prowess and personal future increasingly dominate the build up. Mourinho, whose side are favourites to beat Bayern Munich, is expected to leave for Real Madrid after Saturday’s match, but Cesar is certain the self-styled ‘Special One’ is focused on victory before anything else.
“Mourinho is a systematic type,” Cesar said. “He is precise, he takes it very seriously. He alone scares opponents. As for a technique to beat Bayern, for now this is a secret. People will have to watch the game on Saturday!”
Mourinho will be looking for a second Champions League title, having made his name when he won it with Porto in 2004. The Italian league and cup trophies are already secured, but the pressure is on for Mourinho to make up for his failure to win it with Chelsea against a Bayern side perhaps marginally behind Inter on paper.
But Inter striker Samuel Eto’o has sought to ease the pressure on his side by warning the final must not become “an obsession”. Eto’o - twice a Champions League winner with Barcelona - insists no good can come from desperation.
“This must be a dream final for us. We will lose if it turns into obsession,” he told Gazzetta dello Sport. “I know that Inter fans have waited a lifetime for this moment. (But) we need the right attitude and the willingness to fight. I’ve played two finals, but both against English teams. This is a different story as Bayern are in form and are a great squad.”
Bayern are themselves in high spirits ahead of the match. Winger Arjen Robben and his team-mates are focused on achieving the treble of domestic league and cup and Champions League - a feat no German club has ever achieved.
“The atmosphere in the team is very good,” said Robben, whose decisive goals against Fiorentina and Manchester United made a major contribution to the Bavarians reaching the final for the first time since 2001. “We are all very happy and proud to be here. We have a great chance to write history.”
However, former Bayern goalkeeper Oliver Kahn has warned the Bavarians not to lower their guard heading into the final. Kahn was a member of the Bayern side that lifted the trophy in 2001 and he knows exactly what it takes to win the title, but the former Germany number one also was in the Bayern side which lost dramatically to Manchester United in the final two years earlier, so he can also recall what it feels like to lose a Champions League final.
“You don’t win a Champions League final because you have a good team spirit, you only manage this triumph with maximum concentration,” he wrote in Friday’s kicker magazine. “The double has given Bayern self-confidence, but they must now ensure they don’t let the tension drop even a millimetre.” -Soccernet
Tags: Bayern Munich, Inter Milan, UCL 2009/10, UCL Final, UEFA Champions League
