Inter coach Jose Mourinho has been testing a 4-2-3-1 formation that includes Goran Pandev, Wesley Sneijder and Samuel Eto'o positioned behind and around center forward Diego Milito. All four forward were also utilized in the two wins over Chelsea in the first knockout round and the 3-1 victory over Barcelona in the opening leg of the semifinals.
Pandev appears to have won a starting spot over Mario Balotelli, Inter's explosive 18-year-old forward, who could be Mourinho's first option off the bench.
Due to a contract dispute with Lazio, Pandev spent four months training on his own before transferring to Inter in January. He immediately endeared himself to the Nerazzurri fans by setting up a goal and then scoring himself to seal a 2-0 win for nine-man Inter over AC Milan in a derby in late January, although he hasn't scored since a Feb. 7 Serie A match with Cagliari.
"This hasn't been an easy season for me physically.
Missing summer training really hurt me," Pandev said.
"But my legs feel good right now and I'm hoping to play a great final." Inter captain Javier Zanetti will likely move up from defense to replace suspended midfielder Thiago Motta, opening up a spot for Cristian Chivu at left back.
The versatile Chivu has made an impressive comeback after fracturing his skull during a Serie A match in January.
The final will mark Zanetti's 700th game with Inter in all competitions, having joined the club 15 years ago. He'll probably be assigned to contain Bayern's dangerous attacking midfielder Arjen Robben, who has shown this season he can score from anywhere within 40 meters (yards) of the goal.
The other option to replace Thiago Motta is Dejan Stankovic, although Stankovic has more offensive qualities, and that would probably force Mourinho to alter his entire lineup.
Keeping the four-forward formation intact would allow Inter to strike at the heart of Bayern's defense, which has allowed eight goals in the knockout phase to Inter's three.
Center back Lucio has recovered from a calf injury and should anchor the defense with Walter Samuel, while Maicon will have free reign to roam forward at right back.
Inter arrived in Madrid late Wednesday and has been working out at Real Madrid's training center on the outskirts of the city. The setting is suggestive because Mourinho has been linked with a move to Real Madrid after the final.
Perhaps with a move to the Spanish capital in mind, and having eliminated Madrid rival Barcelona in the semifinals, Mourinho is counting on local support.
"I hope the Real fans root for us at the Bernabeu," Mourinho said as he departed Milan.
