A chilly winter evening is forecast Wednesday at the Giuseppe Meazza stadium, where Bayern Munich hope to savour the first course of a cold revenge at Inter Milan.
The Champions League draw pitted the 2010 finalists against each other in a mouthwatering two-leg tie of the round of 16, nine months after the Nerazzurri's European triumph.
A good piece of news for the German champions is the absence of Argentine Diego Milito, whose brace in the Madrid final sank their hopes to clinch a fifth continental title.
Inter also have defender Walter Samuel sidelined with injury, while the guests can count on French play-maker Franck Ribery, who looks forward to tackle the holders after being suspended for the May final.
A 2-0 win in Madrid gave Inter their third trophy - after two European Cup triumphs in the 1960s - and was considered by many "a perfect game" and a tactical masterpiece from star coach Jose Mourinho.
After winning the European, Serie A and national cup titles, Inter struggled early in the current season, but seem to have regained a good form since January under new coach Leonardo.
"We are almost the same, let alone Diego (Milito), and we want to qualify," Serb midfielder Dejan Stankovic said. "It will be very difficult. It will be a very tactical, balanced game. But we believe in it."
Inter at the weekend barely edged Cagliari 1-0, but remained within five points of Serie A leaders AC Milan while managing to save energies for the mid-week tie.
Leonardo made part-time use of Esteban Cambiasso, Stankovic and Samuel Eto'o, giving a full rest to Wesley Sneijder and Brazil defender Lucio, who is fit from injury for the game against his former team.
"Bayern are a great team. They are coming back," Leonardo said. "But we are feeling well, too, and I will do my best to get the best lineup for the game. It is crucial."
Also the Bavarians had a poor season start after lifting national cup and title, but have improved lately, although they lag 13 points from the top in the Bundesliga.
Not having to worry about home affairs can be an advantage for them in the continental arena, and having the injury-prone stars Ribery and Dutchman Arjen Robben available against Inter is certainly a plus for coach Louis van Gaal.
However the Dutch coach may have to do without on-form striker Mario Gomez, who has aggravated an old ankle injury.
"We'll have to wait and see whether he can play," said Van Gaal, who has Miroslav Klose waiting in the wings. Klose recently showed he knows how to score against Italian teams with the opening goal in Germany's 1-1 friendly draw with the Squadra Azzurra.
"Miro's in very good shape," said Van Gaal who otherwise expects to have a full-strength squad.
The Champions League draw pitted the 2010 finalists against each other in a mouthwatering two-leg tie of the round of 16, nine months after the Nerazzurri's European triumph.
A good piece of news for the German champions is the absence of Argentine Diego Milito, whose brace in the Madrid final sank their hopes to clinch a fifth continental title.
Inter also have defender Walter Samuel sidelined with injury, while the guests can count on French play-maker Franck Ribery, who looks forward to tackle the holders after being suspended for the May final.
A 2-0 win in Madrid gave Inter their third trophy - after two European Cup triumphs in the 1960s - and was considered by many "a perfect game" and a tactical masterpiece from star coach Jose Mourinho.
After winning the European, Serie A and national cup titles, Inter struggled early in the current season, but seem to have regained a good form since January under new coach Leonardo.
"We are almost the same, let alone Diego (Milito), and we want to qualify," Serb midfielder Dejan Stankovic said. "It will be very difficult. It will be a very tactical, balanced game. But we believe in it."
Inter at the weekend barely edged Cagliari 1-0, but remained within five points of Serie A leaders AC Milan while managing to save energies for the mid-week tie.
Leonardo made part-time use of Esteban Cambiasso, Stankovic and Samuel Eto'o, giving a full rest to Wesley Sneijder and Brazil defender Lucio, who is fit from injury for the game against his former team.
"Bayern are a great team. They are coming back," Leonardo said. "But we are feeling well, too, and I will do my best to get the best lineup for the game. It is crucial."
Also the Bavarians had a poor season start after lifting national cup and title, but have improved lately, although they lag 13 points from the top in the Bundesliga.
Not having to worry about home affairs can be an advantage for them in the continental arena, and having the injury-prone stars Ribery and Dutchman Arjen Robben available against Inter is certainly a plus for coach Louis van Gaal.
However the Dutch coach may have to do without on-form striker Mario Gomez, who has aggravated an old ankle injury.
"We'll have to wait and see whether he can play," said Van Gaal, who has Miroslav Klose waiting in the wings. Klose recently showed he knows how to score against Italian teams with the opening goal in Germany's 1-1 friendly draw with the Squadra Azzurra.
"Miro's in very good shape," said Van Gaal who otherwise expects to have a full-strength squad.
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