Bayern Munich vs. Inter Milan | Champions League | Quarter-Finals | Ist Leg | Pre Match
Bayern Munich vs. Inter Milan
Nearly 15 years on from locking horns in the 2009-10 Champions League final, Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich and Serie A champions Inter Milan square off for a place in this year's semi-finals, starting with Tuesday's quarter-final first leg at the Allianz Arena. This highly anticipated clash brings together two of Europe’s footballing titans, each with a storied history in the competition and a burning desire to reclaim their place at the pinnacle of continental football. Bayern Munich, under the stewardship of Vincent Kompany, have been in scintillating form this season, dominating both domestically and in Europe, while Inter Milan, led by the tactically astute Simone Inzaghi, have relied on a blend of defensive resilience and clinical attacking play to reach this stage. The stakes could not be higher as both teams vie for a spot in the final four, with Bayern aiming to extend their remarkable quarter-final streak and Inter looking to recapture the glory of their 2010 triumph over the very same opponents. The Allianz Arena, a fortress for the Bavarians, will serve as the backdrop for what promises to be a fiercely contested encounter, with the return leg in Milan looming large on the horizon.
Vincent Kompany's men triumphed in an all-German battle with Bayer Leverkusen to advance to the final eight, while the Nerazzurri ended Feyenoord's European journey in the last 16. For Bayern, the victory over Leverkusen was more than just a step towards the quarter-finals; it was a statement of intent against a side that had tormented them in the previous season. Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen, dubbed the 2023-24 Invincibles after their unbeaten Bundesliga campaign, had dethroned Bayern to claim the German title, ending an era of Munich dominance. This season, however, Bayern have turned the tables, not only establishing an unassailable lead at the top of the Bundesliga but also dismantling Leverkusen’s Champions League aspirations with a commanding 5-0 aggregate win in the round of 16. The first leg at the Allianz Arena saw Bayern cruise to a 3-0 victory, with their attacking firepower on full display, before a disciplined 2-0 win in the return leg underscored their tactical maturity under Kompany. Meanwhile, Inter Milan’s path to the quarter-finals was no less impressive, as they dispatched Dutch side Feyenoord with a 4-1 aggregate triumph. Marcus Thuram and Hakan Calhanoglu were the architects of their success, scoring crucial goals in a second-leg victory that rendered Jakub Moder’s penalty for Feyenoord a mere footnote. Both teams arrive at this stage in contrasting styles—Bayern with their relentless attacking verve and Inter with their steely defensive resolve—but with the shared goal of advancing deeper into the tournament.
Fifty percent of Bayern's revenge mission over Leverkusen is now complete; as well as holding an unassailable lead over Xabi Alonso's 2023-24 Invincibles at the top of the Bundesliga table, the Munich mammoths ended Die Werkself's hopes of Champions League supremacy a few weeks ago. This season has seen Bayern reassert their dominance in German football, with Kompany’s tactical acumen breathing new life into a squad that had faltered under the weight of Leverkusen’s historic campaign last term. The 5-0 aggregate drubbing of Leverkusen was a microcosm of Bayern’s resurgence—a blend of attacking flair, defensive solidity, and clinical finishing that has made them one of the most feared teams in Europe. Advancing to the quarter-finals for a record 23rd time in their illustrious history, Bayern have now reached this stage in six consecutive seasons, a testament to their enduring excellence in the Champions League. Their home form has been a cornerstone of this success, with the Bavarians unbeaten in their last 22 UCL matches at the Allianz Arena—a run that stretches back to their last European triumph in 2019-20. That year, under Hansi Flick, Bayern conquered Europe with a devastating brand of football, and Kompany appears to be channeling a similar spirit as he guides his side towards a potential domestic and European double. Their latest Bundesliga outing, a 3-1 victory over Augsburg on Friday night, kept them six points clear at the top of the table, meaning the Bundesliga crown could be theirs in as little as three games if results continue to fall their way. However, this triumph came at a steep price, one that could shape their fortunes against Inter.
By easing to a 5-0 aggregate victory over the German champions in the last 16—following up a 3-0 home triumph with a 2-0 away victory—Bayern Munich advanced to the quarter-finals of the Champions League for a record 23rd time in their history, and for the sixth season running. This remarkable consistency sets them apart from their European peers, as they remain the only team to have reached the last eight in every tournament since 2019-20. That season, Bayern lifted the trophy after a dominant campaign, and their current run suggests they are once again serious contenders. Their home record is nothing short of extraordinary, with 22 consecutive Champions League matches unbeaten at the Allianz Arena—a statistic that will weigh heavily on Inter’s minds as they prepare to step into the cauldron on Tuesday. Bayern’s attacking output this season has been equally impressive, with 28 goals in the 2024-25 Champions League campaign, second only to Barcelona’s 32. Leading the charge has been Harry Kane, the former Tottenham talisman who has made history as the first English player to score 10 goals in a single Champions League season. Yet, the euphoria of their recent successes has been tempered by a devastating injury blow. Jamal Musiala, the prodigiously talented playmaker who has been a linchpin in Bayern’s midfield, suffered a torn muscle in the Augsburg match, an injury that will likely rule him out for the remainder of the season. His absence leaves a gaping hole in Bayern’s creative engine, posing a significant challenge as they face an Inter side renowned for their defensive discipline.
In fact, the Bavarians are the only team to have progressed to the last eight in every tournament since 2019-20—coincidentally the year of their last European success—thanks in no small part to an astounding home record, going unbeaten in their last 22 UCL games at the Allianz Arena. This fortress-like consistency has made Bayern a formidable proposition on their own turf, and Inter will need to summon something extraordinary to breach their defenses. While Bayern’s attacking numbers are eye-catching, Inter have built their campaign on an almost impenetrable backline, conceding just two goals in 10 Champions League matches this season. Simone Inzaghi has masterminded a series of rearguard masterclasses, with his team’s organization and resilience frustrating even the most potent attacks. One of those concessions came against Feyenoord in the last 16, but it was a minor blip in an otherwise flawless defensive display. However, Inter’s defensive solidity deserted them in their most recent Serie A outing, a 2-2 draw against Parma on Saturday. Having raced into a 2-0 lead, Inzaghi’s men allowed the bottom-half side to claw their way back, exposing a vulnerability that Bayern will look to exploit. That result has put Inter’s lead at the top of Serie A under threat, with Napoli poised to close the gap to just one point if they defeat Bologna on Monday. Inter’s away form has been a growing concern, with only two wins in their last eight matches across all competitions, and their previous encounters with Bayern—2-0 defeats home and away in the 2022-23 group stage—offer little encouragement.
Still on course for a domestic and European double, Bayern emerged 3-1 winners from their trip to Augsburg on Friday night, meaning that they remain six points clear of Leverkusen and could reclaim their rightful Bundesliga title in just three games’ time. However, the loss of Musiala is compounded by a mounting injury crisis, with Alphonso Davies and Dayot Upamecano sidelined by knee issues, Kingsley Coman nursing an unspecified problem, and captain Manuel Neuer ruled out with a calf injury. Thomas Muller, the 35-year-old veteran set to depart Bayern this summer, could be thrust back into the spotlight, while Kane’s fitness remains a concern after he was spotted with an ice pack on his ankle. For Inter, the Parma collapse saw Alessandro Bastoni withdrawn at half-time with a knee issue, though he is expected to recover in time. Mehdi Taremi, Piotr Zielinski, and Denzel Dumfries are less fortunate, while Kristjan Asllani’s suspension opens the door for Davide Frattesi to join Calhanoglu and Henrikh Mkhitaryan in midfield, supporting the deadly duo of Thuram and Lautaro Martinez. As the first leg approaches, both teams face significant challenges, but the prize of a semi-final berth against Barcelona or Borussia Dortmund ensures that neither will hold back in this titanic clash.
