Inter Milan have beaten Bayern Munich 2-0 in the Champions League final with Diego Milito scoring both goals at the Bernabeu Stadium. Read about all the action with our text commentary.
By Ed Leahy
Feel free to let us know what you're thinking; all opinions welcome to sportonline@rte.ie.
9.43pm So another bit of Jose Mourinho magic sees Inter Milan land the Champions League for the first time in 45 years. That's job done for the Special One in Milan and now onto the next challenge, which looks like Real Madrid next season. He may not play the most entertaining football but he's a very entertaining person and it's the Spanish media's turn to hang off his every word next season. Time for the trophy as we wrap up another season of European action. Only 19 days to the World Cup. Bring it on.
9.36pm FULL TIME: INTER 2-0 BAYERN MUNICH
92 mins Mourinho over at the Bayern bench shaking hands with old mentor Van Gaal ahead of the final whistle.
90 mins Into injury time now and two-goal hero Diego Milito goes off to a standing ovation from the Inter fans. Friend of Zidane Marco Materazzi gets a chance to get his knees and kit dirty ahead of the medal and trophy presentations.
88 mins More Bayern pressure. Inter clear. To be fair Bayern haven't really deserved anything despite all their possession.
85 mins For once Bayern attack down the left and Muller works it down wing and the cross eludes Julio Cesar but too high to threaten.
83 mins Pace of the game has really dropped off now and as Trevor Steven has just said in commentary, Bayern have run out of ideas. Very true, their only plan all night has been to attack through Robben and hope for the best.
80 mins Ten minutes to go and Van Gaal looks dejected on the bench. Just looking at Eto'o here running around all night breaking down Bayern play. Okay so he's going to get another Champions League winners' medal but did he really leave Barca to be a grafter? I'd say he, for one, won't be sad to see the back of Mourinho.
77 mins Van Bommell gets a yellow for a studs up challenge as Inter bring on Muntari for Pandev.
75 mins In fairness to Bayern, they're still having a go here. Although attack after attack is broken down and cleared. Getting frustrated now.
70 mins Bayern must be sick after that body blow. All the work getting on top and Inter go and do that in the blinking of an eye. Mourinho keeping a straight face on the sideline but he knows this is in the bag now. Wonder if he'll do a Porto on it at the end and sneak off into the dressing room as soon as he gets his medal.
69 mins GOAL INTER 2-0 BAYERN Inter counter and Eto'o feeds Milito who cuts inside the Bayern defence on the left and curls one past Butt into the far bottom-corner. Classic counter-attack football there by Inter.
65 mins Surely Mourinho cannot do another Barca and sit back for the remainder of the game confident in his defence. If so, it makes for a pretty exciting last quarter. Inter sub - Dejan Stankovic on for Cristian Chivu.
64 mins It's all Bayern now and Robben again cuts inside and curls one towards the top corner. Keeper goes with his 'wrong' hand and tips it around the post. Save looked better in real time - handy enough save judging by the replay.
61 mins Another Bayern or should I say Robben attack and he is brought down on the edge of the box on the right hand side. Bayern make a sub before the free kick is taken. Robben blasts one low and hard into the box - sits up lovely for Muller who half-hits a volley on target. Ball looks to be heading for the net but Cambiaso gets his head on it and clears. Keeper may have stopped it all the same. Sub was Klose for Altintop.
60 mins This is better by Bayern as Lahm joins the attack once more. Nearly get in but nice defending by Inter clears the danger.
59 mins Demichelis dives over Sneijder to win possession in the midfield and sets up a Bayern attack. Altintop gets the shot away but straight at the keeper.
57 mins Lahm charges up the right to give Robben a bit of support. Robben gets into box and wins a corner. Easily dealt with again by Inter. Surely a Bayern change must be on the way.
54 mins More Inter pressure down the right this time and Sneijder wins a corner, forcing Altintop to clear. Bayern clear easy enough.
51 mins Sneijder hits the free over from a really good position - maybe too close to get it up and down with the power he put behind the shot.
50 mins Bayern again turn to Robben down the right and again he cuts inside. But this time, Inter double team him and clear. Pandev breaks and is bundled over on the edge of the box. Free in for Inter in a good position. Soft free kick to be honest.
47 mins Inter survive scare and burst into action. An attack down the left results in a classy shot by Pandez who dinks one towards the top corner. Butt earns his corn and tips one over the bar. Great shot. Great save.
46 mins Bayern come charging out of the blocks in the second half and play through the Inter defence and Julio Cesar makes a cracking save from Muller who should have scored. Muller had to slide in as he struck it but have to put it down as a great save.
8.38pm Ronnie Whelan is in agreement with Giles and thinks Inter need to attack. A second goal would be too much for Bayern to get back.
8.36pm Back in the studio, John Giles believes that Inter are happy to sit back and absorb the pressure but reckons that if Inter did push on and attack they'd 'kill' Bayern.
8.33pm It's going exactly to plan for the Special One as his Inter side are keeping their shape and patience frustrating Bayern and making the most of their chances when they come along. Expect more of the same in the second half from the Italians. Bayern need to be a bit more inventive and stop relying on Robben down the right. What has Van Gaal got on his bench to shake things up a bit?
8.31pm HALF-TIME INTER 1-0 BAYERN MUNICH
44 mins Bayern trying one last attack before the break. Again neat build-up play but another long-range effort, this time by Van Bommel, drifts harmlessly wide.
42 mins The game is playing a lot more predictably now with Bayern struggling to play their way into the Inter box and they are restricted to long-range efforts. And as expected Inter just soak it up and counter when they can. This time Milito breaks clear and Sneijder bursts into the box and smashes one into Butt's outstretched arms - great save, even if he didn't know much about it. That could have been curtains for Bayern.
40 mins Bayern again attack down the right and Robben cuts inside and lets one fly off the left peg. Scored one from the same scenario earlier in the campaign but this one travel wide and high of the far post.
38 mins Bayern boss Louis van Gaal will be raging with that defensive lapse for the goal when his side had all the possession and the play was, for the most part, in the Inter half. The Dutch master has some thinking to do at half time.
35 mins Bizarrely, that was one of the first things Milito has done in the game. Eto'o is another who has been anonymous... And sure enough, now, the two link up and Eto'o is nearly through on goal. Better defending this time by the Bayern defence to clear.
34 mins GOAL INTER 1-0 BAYERN Diego Milito flicks the ball on to Sneijder who controls a pass back into the path of the big centree forward who rattles one past Butt into the roof of the net. Game on!
31 mins Again Bayern down the right. Robben cuts inside and sets up Muller who has time to shoot. Oh dear, blazes over the bar. Well struck but never on target. Great slo-mo shot of old buddies Mourinho and Robben retrieving the ball for a throw-in. It's all smiles - at the moment.
29 mins Some good ball being played across the midfield by both teams but nothing really in either final third. Bayern really attacking through Robben down the right and Chivu has obviously had enough of the tricky winger and re-introduces him to the Bernabeu turf. That's a yellow there for Chivu - he'll take that.
27 mins Robben almost puts Muller in on goal but intercepted by the old reliable Lucio who just gets his toe on it to prevent a clear-cut chance for Bayern.
25 mins Yellow card for Demichelis to give Sneijder another long-distance free-kick. Same ploy again by the Dutchman who bounces one in to test the keeper. But Butt, this time, gathers easily into his chest.
22 mins Ball bouncing around the edge of the Inter box. Robben makes a bit of space to get the shot away but a dreadful attempt that flies high and wide over the bar. That was a great chance to make the keeper work. Poor effort.
17 mins Sneijder hits a 40-yard free - deflected off Altintop and a decent save by Butt, who palms clear. Cambiaso almost latches on to a volley but doesn't get a good connection and bayern clear.
14 mins More Bayern pressure wins a free on the right wing. Ball into box cleared for corner. Robben's corner is a good one and asking to be headed. Ball drops in around the goal mouth and the Bayern boys scream for a penalty. replay show ball striking Maicon's outstretched arm, twice, but may have been a bit harsh if it was given.
12 mins Altintop makes a bit of space on the edge of the Inter box and gets his shot away but deflected wide off Samuel for a corner, which is easily dealt with.
10 mins Judging by the tone of the tunes coming from the crowd complimented by intense hand-clapping, it would appear that the Germans are the noisier of the two sets of supporters. Maicon has a pop from distance but no threat on the goal as the Bayern fans continue singing.
8 mins Bayern eventually push out of their own half and start to knock the ball around with Inter sitting back on the edge of their box. Robben goes on a bit of a charge down the right but ball cleared. Bayern definitely getting into the game now.
5 mins Funnily enough, it appears to be the Germans who are sitting back and trying to hit Inter on the counter attack. Olic breaks clear and beats Lucio but ball into box is intercepted and no danger here.
4 mins Sneijder bursts into the Bayern box but good tackle breaks down play and ball is cleared. Good tempo to the game early doors but no one yet to stamp their authority on it.
3 mins Bayern break on the counter but Inter quick to close down just inside their half. Ref gives free into box and Mourinho not too impressed. Ball into box cleared easy enough.
1 min Early Inter attack punched clear by Butt.
7.45pm And we're off, Inter playing in traditional blue stripes, while Bayern are decked out in red and white stripped shirts, red shorts with black socks. Inter playing right to left in the first half.
7.40pm Right then, five minutes to go - prediction time. I really cannot see Inter losing this but if Bayern are to snatch it, I reckon the goal will have to come from a long-range effort or from a set piece. Olic or Robben will have to do something special for the Germans, although I can see Eto'o, Sneijder or Milito winning it for Mourinho and Inter. Expect Van Gaal's Bayern to attack from the start but one Inter frustrate them enough, the Italian champions should grind them down and sneak a narrow win. 2-1 to Inter
7.35pm Guillem Balague is on the pitch with RTÉ Sport's Tony O'Donoghue and he reckons that the Mourinho/Real Madrid deal is already sewn up and the Special One will be in charge at the Bernabeu next season. Interesting - I wonder how the Real Madrid football purists will take to Jose and similarly will Mourinho thrive in a club where, in the past, players and directors seemed to call the shots.
7.30pm Just 15 minutes to go before kick-off now. The teams are in and will line out as follows:
Bayern Munich: Butt, Lahm, Van Buyten, Demichelis, Badstuber,
Robben, Van Bommel, Schweinsteiger, Altintop, Muller, Olic.
Inter Milan: Julio Cesar, Maicon, Lucio, Samuel, Chivu,
Zanetti, Cambiasso, Eto'o, Sneijder, Pandev, Milito.
7.25pm Talk in the studio is of all things defensive. Munich's defending throughout the campaign has been shoddy, at best, while Inter's defensive display against Barcelona was one of the best examples in recent years of how to protect your goal. The panel believe that Mourinho will have done his homework and attack the Bayern weaknesses, down the right wing especially.
7pm The live stream of RTÉ's televised coverage of the Champions League Final has started. Users in the Republic of Ireland can watch Bill, John, Eamon and Ronnie here
5.00pm It's all over at Wembley and Ian Holloway's Blackpool have been promoted to the Premier League after beating Cardiff City 3-2. The second half didn't live up to the madness of the first as both sides tired in the hot conditions. Congratulations to former Sligo Rovers defender Seamus Coleman who heads back to Everton, already guaranteed a lifelong supply of novelty rock and 'kiss me quick' hats whenever he returns to the seaside Tower town of Blackpool.
Roll on the Bernabeu now as the Champions League final edges closer.
3.55pm The Coca-Cola Championship play-off between Blackpool and Cardiff City is the perfect way to get in the mood for this evening's contest in Madrid. The only thing is that it looks like the supporting act may outshine the main event. In case you're not watching the action from Wembley, it's an absolute cracker. Blackpool leading 3-2 at half-time. Plenty of Irish interest there as well with Seamus Coleman, Stephen McPhail and Mark Kennedy all playing.
1.00pm Good afternoon, folks. It's Champions League final day taking place for the first time on a Saturday. There's a lot of sport to take place between now and kick-off time at 7.45pm. But here's some match stats to get you through the next few hours.
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL: KEY BATTLES
IVICA OLIC v LUCIO
Inter centre-back Lucio will have a job on his hands keeping the in-form Olic at bay. The Bayern forward has netted five times in his last four appearances, including a hat-trick in the semi-final second leg as the German side eased past Lyon 4-0 on aggregate.
The Brazilian defender, who joined the Italian giants from Bayern in the summer, was also instrumental in his team's progress to the final, putting in a solid display at the heart of Inter's defence as the 10 men edged past favourites Barcelona at the Nou Camp.
CRISTIAN CHIVU v ARJEN ROBBEN
Winger Robben has been one of Europe's star performers this season and Inter manager Jose Mourinho will be keen for Chivu to nullify his threat. The former Chelsea star likes to cut inside from the right-hand side onto his favoured left foot and is a lethal finisher from range as Manchester United and Fiorentina found to their cost. His stunning 30-yard strike sent the Bavarians through to the quarter-finals on away goals and thunderous volley at Old Trafford ensured Bayern progressed to the semi-finals on the same ruling.
Romanian defender Chivu is a centre-back by trade but has been used as a full-back by Mourinho, helping the San Siro club clinch the Serie A title at the weekend.
WESLEY SNEIJDER v MARK VAN BOMMEL
The Dutch pair go head to head with both looking to win the midfield battle. Attack-minded Sneijder likes to get forward and is not afraid to shoot from distance. Van Bommel will have to pay close attention to his compatriot and play a disciplined role just in front of the back four.
The 33-year-old must be careful not to concede too many free-kicks around the edge of the penalty area because Sneijder is a dead ball specialist.
JOSE MOURINHO v LOUIS VAN GAAL: HEAD TO HEAD
TROPHIES
Mourinho is 11 years Van Gaal's junior but still boasts a CV to match any manager in the game. The self-styled 'Special One' burst onto the scene in 2003 when he guided Porto to UEFA Cup glory and then added the Champions League title the following year, knocking out Manchester United on the way before cruising to a 3-0 victory over Monaco in the final.
That summer he joined Chelsea and steered the Blues to back-to-back Premier League titles, the FA Cup, the Community Shield and two League Cups during a successful four-year spell before leaving Stamford Bridge in September 2007 and making the switch to manage Inter Milan the following summer.
More success followed as Mourinho's Inter won successive Scudettos and this season's Coppa Italia.
Van Gaal began his managerial career at Ajax back in 1991 and went on to steer the Dutch side to 11 trophies during a six-year spell which included three league titles, the UEFA Cup, the European Super Cup and most notably two Champions League finals, winning in 1995 and finishing runners-up a year later.
The Dutchman moved to Barcelona in 1997 where he won La Liga twice, the Spanish Cup and Super Cup before enduring a disappointing spell in charge of his native national team which culminated in failure to qualify for the 2002 World Cup finals. With his reputation tarnished, Van Gaal returned to club management and guided AZ Alkmaar to the league championship in the 2008-09 season and then claimed the Bundesliga crown with Bayern this season, his first year with the German giants.
STRENGTHS
Mourinho, who is arguably the most sought after coach in Europe, prides himself on his tactical nous and over the years has developed the knack of winning ugly. He's developed a strong spine in his Inter team, bringing in attacking players Wesley Sneijder and Samuel Eto'o from Real Madrid and Barcelona respectively to join Inter's central rearguard of Lucio and Walter Samuel.
Van Gaal has 19 years of managing experience under his belt and was the architect of the famous Ajax side of the 1990s which included the likes of Patrick Kluivert, Edgar Davids, Clarence Seedorf, Edwin van der Sar and the De Boer brothers. The 58-year-old is an advocate of expansive attacking football.
WEAKNESSES
Mourinho ultimately lost his job at Stamford Bridge because he failed to deliver owner Roman Abramovich's plea for free-flowing attacking football and is often accused of placing too much emphasis on the defensive aspect of the game. Mourinho's outspoken nature puts him in the firing line should he ever suffer a trophyless season and the former Chelsea boss has an uncomfortable relationship with Italian football, making no secret of his dislike for Serie A.
Van Gaal has attracted his fair share of controversy too, falling out with the bulk of his players when managing the Dutch national team and Barcelona. The 58-year-old ran into dispute with many of his stars when in charge at the Nou Camp, and this coupled with his inability to relate his ideas to the media and fans, ultimately led to his resignation after three years in charge. In his next job he failed to guide a gifted Holland side to the World Cup 2002 finals and was consequently replaced by Dick Advocaat, before returning to Barca for an unsuccessful six-month spell in 2002.
THE ROAD TO MADRID
BAYERN MUNICH
GROUP STAGE
Maccabi Haifa 0-3 Bayern Munich, September 15, 2009
A rare strike from Daniel van Buyten and a late brace from Thomas Muller ensured Bayern got their Champions League campaign off to a winning start at the home of the Israelis.
Bayern Munich 0-0 Juventus, September 30
Louis van Gaal's side dominated the clash at the Allianz Arena but were held by a resilient Juventus side.
Bordeaux 2-1 Bayern Munich, October 21
Van Buyten and Muller were sent off as Bayern surrendered a lead given to them by Mickael Ciani's own goal to suffer a disappointing defeat against the French champions, who missed two penalties in a thrilling match.
Bayern Munich 0-2 Bordeaux, November 3
Bayern slipped to back-to-back defeats, leaving them relying on the French side to beat Juventus in the next round of matches to have any chance of avoiding an early exit from the competition.
Bayern Munich 1-0 Maccabi Haifa, November 25
Ivica Olic's 62nd-minute strike coupled with Bordeaux's 2-0 victory over Juve kept alive the German champions' hopes of progressing to the knockout stages.
Juventus 1-4 Bayern Munich, December 8
Goalkeeper Hans-Jorg Butt scored a penalty as the Bavarians rallied from the shock of conceding an early goal to thrash Juventus and seal their passage to the last 16 in style.
LAST 16 FIRST LEG
Bayern Munich 2-1 Fiorentina, February 17, 2010
Miroslav Klose's 89th-minute header to gave Bayern a slender lead going into the second leg at the Stadio Artemio Franchi.
SECOND LEG
Fiorentina 3-2 Bayern Munich (4-4 on aggregate. Bayern win on the away goal rule), March 9
Arjen Robben's sensational 30-yard strike ensured Van Gaal's side edged into the quarter-finals on the away goals despite losing on the night.
QUARTER-FINAL FIRST LEG
Bayern Munich 2-1 Manchester United, March 30
The Germans rallied from the shock of conceding to Wayne Rooney's second-minute strike and equalised through a Franck Ribery free-kick, before Olic scored a dramatic winner with virtually the last kick of the game.
SECOND LEG
Manchester United 3-2 Bayern Munich (4-4 on aggregate. Bayern win on the away goal rule), April 7
Alex Ferguson's side surged into a three-goal lead but Olic pulled one back on the stroke of half-time before United defender Rafael Da Silva was sent off and Robben's thunderous volley sent Bayern through on away goals yet again.
SEMI-FINAL FIRST LEG
Bayern Munich 1-0 Lyon, April 21
Resilient Bayern recovered from Ribery's 37th-minute sending-off to take a slender lead into the second leg thanks to Robben's second-half strike, with Lyon also reduced to 10 men following Jeremy Toulalan's dismissal after the break.
SECOND LEG
Lyon 0-3 Bayern Munich, April 27 (Bayern win 4-0 on aggregate)
Van Gaal's team cruised into the final thanks to Olic's hat-trick, helped by Lyon defender Cris receiving his marching orders on the hour mark for two quick bookings.
INTER MILAN - THE ROAD TO MADRID
Group Stage
Inter Milan 0-0 Barcelona, September 16, 2009
Two of Europe's heavyweights played out a goalless draw at the San Siro on the opening day of the group stage.
Rubin Kazan 1-1 Inter Milan, September 29
Inter avoided an embarrassing defeat against the Russian minnows thanks to Dejan Stankovic's equaliser but failed in their quest for a winner which wasn't helped by the dismissal of striker Mario Balotelli with half an hour remaining.
Inter Milan 2-2 Dynamo Kiev, October 20
A rare strike from Walter Samuel salvaged a point for Jose Mourinho's side in what continued to be a stuttering start to the group stage.
Dynamo Kiev 1-2 Inter Milan, November 4
Goals in the last four minutes from Diego Milito and Wesley Sneijder ensured Inter came from behind to clinch a dramatic and much-needed victory in Ukraine.
Barcelona 2-0 Inter Milan, November 24
Inter failed to recover from the blow of conceding early goals to Gerard Pique and Pedro as they were comfortably beaten at the Nou Camp.
Inter Milan 2-0 Rubin Kazan, December 9
Inter's front two of Samuel Eto'o and Balotelli grabbed a goal apiece as the Nerazzurri clinched a place in the last 16 after winning a winner-takes-all showdown.
Round of 16 first leg
Inter Milan 2-1 Chelsea, February 24, 2010
Esteban Cambiasso's second-half strike hands Inter the advantage against Mourinho's old club ahead of the return leg at Stamford Bridge.
Second leg
Chelsea 0-1 Inter Milan, March 16
The Italians soaked up a Chelsea onslaught before hitting the Blues with a sucker punch when Eto'o netted 12 minutes from time to seal their passage into the quarter-finals with a 3-1 aggregate win.
Quarter-final first leg
Inter Milan 1-0 CSKA Moscow, March 31
Milito broke down the Russians resistance with a well taken finish on 65 minutes to give Inter the advantage going into the second leg on CSKA's plastic pitch.
Second leg
CSKA Moscow 0-1 Inter Milan, April 6
Sneijder's sixth-minute free-kick took the wind out of CSKA's sails as the Inter made a potentially tough trip to eastern Europe look straightforward.
Semi-final first leg
Inter Milan 3-1 Barcelona, April 20
Mourinho's side came from behind to stun defending champions Barca thanks to goals from Sneijder, Maicon and Milito.
Second leg
Barcelona 1-0 Inter Milan, April 28
Inter booked their place in the final thanks to an outstanding defensive display that restricted the defending champions to just one goal despite playing for over an hour with 10 men after Thiago Motta was shown a straight red card.
