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Trebles at stake in Champions League final

May 22, 2010 16:20 IST

Bayern Munich battle Inter Milan in the Champions League final later on Saturday with both clubs bidding to complete astonishing trebles as well as take away club soccer's top prize.

Italian league and cup winners Inter will become the first Serie A side to win a season treble if they prevail at Real Madrid's Bernabeu stadium, where all eyes are on their charismatic coach Jose Mourinho.

The Portuguese has been heavily linked in the media with a move, ironically to Real, after saying he is unhappy in Italian football and will consider his options after the game.

Bayern coach Louis van Gaal has said he will stay in the job whether or not the German champions secure the treble, a feat which looked highly unlikely after a disappointing start to the season.

Bayern winger Franck Ribery and Inter midfielder Thiago Motta are suspended but otherwise both coaches largely have full squads to choose from with Mourinho mulling 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-2-1 formations.

Inter defender Lucio meets his former club while a raft of former Real players are making a return to the Bernabeu, where estimates say the winner could earn more than 120 million euros ($150 million) through new ticket sales, prize money, sponsorship and TV deals.

Source: REUTERS
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