Champions League
2010-09-15 - Bayern Munich vs Roma
A Sports Betting Pick by Addicted
Football : UEFA Champions League : Group E
Wednesday, September 15th 2010 - Start 7:45PM GMT
Bayern Munich
German powerhouse Bayern Munich begin their new campaign at home to Roma, and you wonder how much they will be thinking of last years final, when they came ever so close to winning their 2nd Champions League title. In the end, Jose Mourinho and his tactics were the difference; and the Germans bowed to Inter Milan by a 2-0 scoreline. Perhaps not as painful as that 1999 finish as runners-up, but this one would have hurt too.
Bayern qualify as German champions and, like Inter Milan, were aiming for an unprecedented treble last year, having also won their domestic cup competition. They will have to now satisfy their urges of revenge with Roma. And if they go by last weekends reult, they will fancy their chances against their Italian opponents.
Louis Van Gaal remains with his club, and aside from being an extremely experienced manager with a lot of nous, he has had a lot of recent experience with opponents who talka likea dis! (sorry) In last years tournament, his side had to deal with Juventus, then Fiorentina before meeting their match in Internatzionale. Statistics reveal, encouragingly, that Bayern have lost just once against Italian teams in the seven matches contested in Deutschland.
Bayern come into this fixture on the back of a 0-0 draw with Werder Bremen, who also play in the Champions League this season with a total of just 4 points after 3 games. The German champions will be aware that a similar slow start here in the Champions League will be very hard to recover from. Indeed, despite the runners-up finish last season, Bayern actually needed to win their final group game against Juventus to progress to the knockout stages, thanks to a slow start. Van Gaal is too astute a manager to let that happen again.
With talent like Franck Ribery, and local boys Bastien Schweinsteiger, Philipp Lahm, Miroslav Klose and Thomas Muller, all of whom excelled at this summers World Cup, you have a team that could effectively rout anyone on their day.
Roma
Roma are managed by Claudio Ranieri. The Italian once known as Tinkerman in West London has done well in his native Italy, guiding his side to top finishes every season. Indeed, they came a whisker short of beating Inter Milan last year, but had to settle for 2nd yet again, having come up 3 points short. Finishing 2nd to a team led by Mourinho is nothing to be scoffed at, and their record of finishing 2nd on 3 of the last 4 campaigns shows consistency.
Sadly, Roma have not been quite as consistent in European competition, more so on their travels. Last year, Roma contested the Europa League, and were able to win just twice in their six away games. They went out early, 1st round of the knockout phase. They’ve also lost 8 of their last 10 games in Germany.
The team will include in their line-up midfielder De Rossi, who stayed with the Italians despite the lure of Madrid, along with Adriano, Juan and, of course, Francesco Totti. However, the list of regulars who will not take part is far longer, and includes John Arne Riise, Philippe Mexes, Vucinic, Taddei and Casellini. That is far too much of a handicap to have when playing against quality opposition and it’s safe to say one should not entertain any thoughts of betting on this side winning.
So, what’s left? Current form? Roma drew with Seria A newbies Cesena 0-0 and then got thumped 5-1 by Cagliari. And now the depleted side has to go face Bayern Munich on German soil? Forget it.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Over 2.5 goals
BEST BETTING TIP :
Take Bayern Munich @ 1.80 (Pinnacle)Take Over 2.5 Goals @ 1.70 (Pinnacle) - MAIN BET
