Inter 2-2 Bayern Munich (4-3 on agg): Italians Get the Job Done to Set Up Semi Clash with Barcelona
Inter vs Bayern Munich
An entertaining game at the San Siro saw Internazionale prevail against Bayern Munich, but only after uncharacteristically going behind in this quarter-final second leg, a match that encapsulated the drama and unpredictability of the Champions League. The atmosphere in Milan was electric, with the Curva Nord in full voice, urging their team to secure a place in the semi-finals. Bayern, trailing by a single goal from the first leg, arrived with a clear mission: to overturn the deficit and keep their European dreams alive. The German giants, with their storied history and attacking firepower, were expected to pose a significant threat, particularly through their talismanic striker Harry Kane. Inter, under the stewardship of Simone Inzaghi, had been a model of consistency in the competition, their defensive resilience complemented by moments of attacking brilliance. The stage was set for a classic European encounter, and the match did not disappoint, delivering a rollercoaster of emotions that kept fans on the edge of their seats. From Bayern’s early dominance to Inter’s swift response, the game showcased the tactical nous and individual quality of both sides, culminating in a result that reaffirmed Inter’s growing stature in European football.
Bayern needed at least a goal in this game to continue their Champions League journey in the 2024-25 season, and the first half saw them create a plethora of opportunities, albeit without finding the clinical edge required to breach Inter’s defense. Vincent Kompany’s side controlled possession and probed relentlessly, with Kane, Leroy Sané, and Joshua Kimmich orchestrating dangerous moves. Inter’s backline, marshaled by Alessandro Bastoni and Stefan de Vrij, held firm, while goalkeeper Yann Sommer was alert to deny Bayern’s efforts. Despite their profligacy, Bayern’s intent was clear, and their persistence paid off in the 52nd minute through the most likely source: Harry Kane. The English striker, who has been a revelation since joining Bayern from Tottenham in the summer of 2023, added to his remarkable record of 100 goal involvements in 86 competitive appearances. Kane’s goal was a textbook display of his predatory instincts, as he collected the ball inside the box, maneuvered past Bastoni with a deft touch, and struck a low shot across Sommer into the far corner. The San Siro fell momentarily silent, as Bayern’s traveling supporters erupted, sensing a potential turning point in the tie. Kane’s strike not only gave Bayern the lead on the night but also leveled the aggregate score, injecting fresh belief into their campaign. The goal underscored Kane’s enduring quality, as he surpassed Paul Scholes to become the Englishman with goals against the most opponents (21) in Champions League history, a testament to his adaptability and consistency on Europe’s grandest stage.
If Kane is Bayern’s most dependable source of goals, the same can be said of Inter captain Lautaro Martínez, whose response to Kane’s opener was both swift and decisive. Just six minutes after Bayern took the lead, Inter restored parity in a moment that highlighted their set-piece prowess and Martínez’s knack for delivering in critical moments. A corner from Hakan Çalhanoğlu caused chaos in Bayern’s penalty area, and the ball fell invitingly to Martínez, who was lurking with intent. The Argentine made no mistake, volleying the ball past Jonas Urbig, Bayern’s stand-in goalkeeper, with a strike that combined power and precision. The San Siro erupted, the noise reverberating around the stadium as Inter’s captain wheeled away in celebration. Martínez’s equaliser was not just a goal but a statement of Inter’s resilience, ensuring that Bayern’s lead lasted a mere six minutes. The strike meant that Inter have only trailed for 10 minutes and 53 seconds (including stoppage time) in the Champions League this season, a remarkable statistic that speaks to their dominance and mental fortitude. Martínez, a player who thrives under pressure, has become the heartbeat of this Inter side, his leadership and goal-scoring prowess driving their European ambitions. The goal shifted the momentum back in Inter’s favor, as Bayern’s earlier confidence began to waver, their defense now tasked with containing an Inter attack that was growing in belief with every passing minute.
Sensationally, Inter turned the game around just three minutes after Martínez’s equaliser, with Benjamin Pavard delivering a moment of magic on his 50th Champions League appearance. Another Çalhanoğlu corner proved Bayern’s undoing, as Pavard, the former Bayern defender, rose highest to power a header past Urbig. The goal was a bitter irony for Bayern, as Pavard, who had spent four years with the German club, celebrated with unbridled joy in front of the Inter faithful. The San Siro was now a cauldron of noise, with Inter’s supporters sensing a semi-final berth within reach. Pavard’s header not only gave Inter a 2-1 lead on the night but also restored their aggregate advantage, forcing Bayern to chase two goals in the remaining half-hour. The Frenchman’s aerial dominance exposed Bayern’s vulnerability from set pieces, a recurring theme in the match, as Kompany’s side struggled to cope with Inter’s physicality and precision. The quick succession of goals—from Kane’s opener to Martínez’s equaliser and Pavard’s header—transformed the tie, showcasing Inter’s ability to seize control in critical moments. Inzaghi’s tactical acumen was evident, as his team exploited Bayern’s defensive lapses while maintaining their own structure, a balance that has become a hallmark of Inter’s European campaign.
Bayern, to their credit, refused to capitulate, and their response came in the 76th minute through an unlikely source: Eric Dier. The former Tottenham defender, who had endured a challenging season, rose to meet a Kimmich free-kick and headed past Sommer to make it 2-2 on the night. Dier’s goal, his first in the Champions League that season, brought Bayern within a goal of forcing extra time, reigniting their hopes of a comeback. The San Siro crowd, which had been in full song, grew anxious as Bayern pressed for an equalizer. Kane and Sané combined to create openings, while Kimmich’s energy in midfield kept Bayern ticking. However, Inter’s defense, led by the imperious Bastoni, stood firm, repelling Bayern’s advances with a combination of physicality and tactical discipline. Sommer, too, played a pivotal role, making a crucial save to deny Kane a second goal in the closing stages. Despite Dier’s strike, Bayern were unable to find the decisive goal, their attacking efforts thwarted by Inter’s resolute defending. The final whistle confirmed Bayern’s exit at the quarter-final stage for the fourth time in five seasons, a stark contrast to their dominance in the early 2010s. For Kompany, the defeat was a bitter pill, as his team’s inability to convert their first-half chances and defend set pieces proved their undoing.
With this two-legged victory, Inter have now reached the semi-finals of the Champions League in two of the last three seasons, a remarkable achievement for a club that had only made the final four in two of their first 15 appearances in the competition. The triumph over Bayern was a testament to Inzaghi’s transformation of Inter into a European force, blending Italian defensive solidity with attacking flair. The Nerazzurri’s journey to the semi-finals has been marked by standout performances from Martínez, Çalhanoğlu, and Nicolò Barella, whose midfield dynamism has been crucial. Inter’s set-piece efficiency, as demonstrated by their goals against Bayern, has become a weapon, with Çalhanoğlu’s deliveries proving a constant threat. The victory also highlighted Inter’s depth, as players like Pavard and Federico Dimarco stepped up in key moments, underscoring the squad’s cohesion and versatility. As Inter look ahead to their semi-final clash with free-scoring Barcelona, the prospect of a mouthwatering encounter looms large. Barcelona, led by the irrepressible Robert Lewandowski and a rejuvenated attacking unit, will pose a formidable challenge, but Inter’s performances against Bayern suggest they are more than capable of holding their own. The tie promises to be a clash of styles—Barcelona’s fluid, possession-based approach against Inter’s structured, counter-attacking game plan—setting the stage for a semi-final that could define the 2024-25 Champions League.
For Inter, the victory over Bayern was more than a step toward European glory; it was a statement of their resurgence. The San Siro, a venue steeped in history, bore witness to a performance that blended grit, guile, and moments of brilliance. Martínez’s leadership, Pavard’s timely intervention, and Inzaghi’s tactical masterclass ensured that Inter emerged victorious, their semi-final berth a reward for their consistency and ambition. As they prepare to face Barcelona, Inter carry the hopes of their passionate supporters, who dream of a return to the Champions League final, a stage they last graced in 2010. For Bayern, the defeat marked another premature exit, raising questions about their ability to compete with Europe’s elite. Kane’s goal, while a highlight, was not enough to mask Bayern’s shortcomings, as they head into the summer with much to ponder. The San Siro, once again, proved a graveyard for visiting teams, and Inter’s triumph will be remembered as a night when they outfought and outthought one of Europe’s giants, cementing their place among the continent’s elite.
