Inter Milan headed into the second leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final as the favourites after a famous 1-2 win at the Allianz Arena last week, following Davide Frattesi’s 87th minute winner off the bench. Vincent Kompany’s side would have still backed themselves to progress however, with their level of quality and experience in the competition.
It was Inter’s night though, dumping the German giants out of the UEFA Champions League, as Simone Inzaghi’s side progressed into the final four of Europe’s elite club competition. Goals from Lautaro Martínez and Benjamin Pavard proved crucial as fight Bayern looked to fight back, with Harry Kane and Eric Dier getting their names on the scoresheet.
After a stale first period, Kane’s early goal in the second half set the game a light, in what resulted in being an entertaining Champions League clash – one full of twists and turns and high levels of tensions.
As it happened
Bayern Munich made a bright start at the San Siro, with Thomas Müller having an early chance to fire the German side level. After taking it on the turn from Michael Olise’s pass, his attempt was easily denied by Yann Sommer. Müller and Olise combined once again just moments later, with the former finding Olise with a lofted pass over the top, but a crucial intervention by Alessandro Bastoni saw him slide in to see it out for a corner.
A golden opportunity for Inter Milan to take the lead fell in the 29th minute, with the ball dribbling agonisingly wide. Federico Dimarco’s teasing in-swinging cross from the free-kick was flicked on by Francesco Acerbi, travelling across the face of goal, with Marcus Thurham throwing himself at it to try and get the decisive touch but not being able to quite reach it.
Bayern Munich grew stronger as the half went on, with Müller at the heart of the Bayern Munich attack once more, this time having his shot blocked by Matteo Darmian, who was then quickly back up to deny the follow-up effort from Leroy Sané.
A late flurry from Bayern Munich in the first half saw them push to take the lead, but Inter Milan and Sommer stood strong to take the 2-1 aggregate score into the break. A flick from Harry Kane saw it fall to Sané, who could only drill his effort into the gloves of the Inter goalkeeper. The final major chance of the half fell to Kane, finding space in the Inter box, but his cutback was gathered by Sommer. After 45 minutes, Inter were one step closer to reaching the semi-finals.
An early second half goal from Kane saw Bayern Munich take the lead in Italy and level the aggregate scoring, an invaluable goal for Vincent Kompany’s side. Sané’s cross was cleared by the head of Acerbi, but only as far as Leon Goretzka, who laid it off to Kane who finished beautifully, as he has done so many times throughout his career. It was a trademark Harry Kane finish. The Bayern number nine drilled it hard and low into the far bottom corner, leaving Sommer with no chance this time and grabbing a crucial goal for the visitors.
As they did in Munich, Inter responded to the Bayern goal in style. Six minutes later, Lautaro Martínezequalised and put his side back ahead in the tie, the perfect response. Dimarco’s dangerous crsso from the corner wasn’t dealt with by Joshua Kimmich, dropping kindly for Martínez, who made no mistake with a ruthless strike to find the back of the net. The San Siro errupted, yet would only be louder three minutes later.
A bullet header by Benjamin Pavard gave Inter breathing room and one hand on a Champions League semi-final. Yet again it was a set-piece for Inter that would unlock the Bayern Munich defence. Hakan Çalhanoğlu’s inviting delivery from the corner was accepted by Pavard, who rose highest to blast it past Urbig, making it 4-2 to aggregate to the Nerazzurri. Inter were in full flow, enjoying their football and creating chances, with Kompany making a double change to roll the dice in an attempt to get his side back into the game.
After a cagey first 45 minutes, the floodgates were open in the second period. The visitors pulled one back through an unlikely scorer of Eric Dier and it was yet another brilliant headed finish. Game on again. Serge Gnabry’s cross fell all the way to the back post, where Dier headed it back from where it came from into the far side-netting. It was a superb finish from Dier, who gave Bayern a glimmer of hope in this tie, with the deficit reduced to a single goal – 4-3 on aggregate to Inter.
Yann Sommer was outstanding for Inter, and was crucial in their advancement to the semi-finals, helping them see through the final nervy moments. Kingsley Coman nodded it on to Müller, who’s effort was saved superbly by the Swiss international. The last and final chance of the game fell to Coman, who had an ambitious attempt on the half-volley, rising high into the stands to the relief of the home crowd.
There were joyous scenes at full time, with Inzaghi and his coaching staff sprinting onto the pitch. It was a memorable Champions league clash, with an entertaining 2-2 draw [4-3 on aggregate] on an unforgettable night for Inter.
The lineups
INT: Sommer; Pavard, Acerbi, Bastoni; Darmian, Barella, Çalhanoğlu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Thurham, Martínez.
BAY: Urbig; Laimer, Dier, Kim, Stanišić; Goretzka, Kimmich; Olise, Müller, Sané; Kane.