Ex-Inter coach picks key players and weaknesses to watch in UCL second leg | OneFootball

Former Inter head coach Rafa Benitez has analysed Inter’s upcoming Champions League quarter-final second leg against Bayern Munich, which kicks off on Wednesday night, and has pointed out which key players and which weaknesses to watch out for in the decisive knock-out match in San Siro.

Inter currently have a 2-1 lead in the tie following goals from Lautaro Martinez and Davide Frattesi at the Allianz Arena last time out, but still have 90 minutes to go against the Bundesliga leaders.

For that reason, Benitez believes that Simone Inzaghi and his team will need a mental ‘reset’ and go into the game thinking they are still level at 0-0.

“One cannot ignore the success in Munich, but it is true that Inter will need to reset, to avoid thinking that their lead will be enough to manage,” Benitez said in an in-depth interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“Inevitably, they will have to pretend that they’re starting from 0-0, to play in a state of mental freedom,” he continued.

“The most important thing is the technical aspect, but the tactical strategy is not irrelevant either. The first leg confirmed that we are in the presence of two gigantic teams, with personalities that win you over and players who are able to make the difference at any given moment.”

Benitez picks key players to watch in Inter-Bayern

Benitez was asked to pick a key player to watch during the quarter-final second leg on Wednesday night, but struggled to narrow his selection down to just one individual

“That’s a question that puts me in difficulty, because it would mean leaving so many out,” he explained.

“Inter are team Lautaro or Thuram in the attacking phase, but also have an amazing Barella and Calhanoglu organising, and defenders who leave their mark.

MILAN, ITALY – DECEMBER 06: Nicolo Barella of FC Internazionale celebrates scoring his team’s second goal from the penalty spot with teammates Marcus Thuram, Hakan Calhanoglu and Henrikh Mkhitaryan during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Parma at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on December 06, 2024 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

“Bayern is not just about Kane, they’re not limited to the flair of Sane or that of Olise, who both know how to change the game. Nor the superb ability of Kimmich and Goretzka.”

Benitez also believes that there is a vulnerability about the current Bayern Munich side, particularly in transition, which he feels the Nerazzurri took advantage of in the first leg.

“Bayern showed that they can concede and suffer on transitions, both centrally and out wide. If you look at the build-up to both goals, they both came from similar plays, which they will have to look to do again considering the opponent’s vulnerability.”