Final Whistle

All of us with football shaped eyes will be looking at only one thing, come 19:45 this evening: the Inter Milan v Man United Champion’s League Last 16 match!

While most in the media are busy talking up the character’s of Ferguson and Mourinho, those of us who love football are going weak at the knees (well, we need a bit of over-exaggeration, don’t we?) in anticipation of some of the finest names in attacking football alive all on the same pitch at the same time.

I’ve read most of the build-up.

In fact, I just waded through about seven articles by all of the broadsheet sporting big -guns – whom I respect immensely – and not one of them focussed on this aspect. Not one. It was all ‘Mourinho’s God complex this’ and ‘Fergusen’s been-there-seen-it-done-it that’ – where’s the love of the game? Where’s the football?

For that’s what this is – a football match – albeit one of the best football matches we’re likely to see this year.

In truth, this would make a great final, for when else will we see as many natural talents as Christiano Ronaldo, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Wayne Rooney, Dimitar Berbatov, Ariano… I could go on. In fact, I could probably name both squads.

Those of us who also witnessed the “David Beckham” match-up of Inter vs Milan on BBC Three the other week (I was going to write about it, but then the Big Guy left the field, and I was too busy crying into my Coco Pops and forgot all about writing!) will know that Inter possess a great deal going forwards.

Those who saw that game will also know Inter missed bagfuls of chances against a defence with a combined age totalling a number that I didn’t know existed.

Mourinho loves a tight rearguard – as Chelsea fans (who lamented at the time of the endless 1-0s but would probably welcome Him back with open arms now!) can well attest. However, United have plenty going forward themselves.

Manchester United take things slightly in terms of attack – for Inter’s midfield is arguably the weaker of the two (this is marginal before you gun me down), have the surer defence, the better goalkeeper. In short, if Alex Ferguson is true to his word and plays an attacking lineup, I can see his men returning to Manchester with at least a one goal advantage.

And that’s saying something, for the current Italian league runaway leaders haven’t been beaten at home for quite some time – at least in league football (NEVER under Mourinho!).

I’d also expect United to have enough over 180 minutes to go through. That said, anything can happen in football… and it usually does. Me? I’m counting the minutes to kick-off.

See you after the Final Whistle!