Inter Milan vs. Bayern Munich | Champions League | Quarter-Finals | 2nd Leg | Pre Match
Inter Milan vs. Bayern Munich
Inter Milan will carry a precarious yet precious 2-1 lead into the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final against Bayern Munich on Wednesday night, as they aim to secure a place in the semifinals at the hallowed San Siro. The Nerazzurri’s dramatic first-leg victory at the Allianz Arena last Tuesday, sealed by a late strike from Davide Frattesi, has given Simone Inzaghi’s men a slender but significant advantage as they return to their fortress in Milan. The first leg was a showcase of Inter’s tactical discipline and counter-attacking brilliance, with Frattesi’s 88th-minute winner capping a rollercoaster encounter that saw Inter take the lead through a sublime team move, only to be pegged back by Thomas Müller’s late equalizer before snatching victory in the dying moments. That result not only ended Bayern’s 22-game unbeaten run at home in the Champions League but also underscored Inter’s credentials as genuine contenders for a second European crown in 15 years. With a formidable record at the San Siro—unbeaten in 14 Champions League matches—and a five-match winning streak in the competition, Inter are in pole position to reach their second semifinal in three years, where Barcelona, a familiar foe from their 2010 treble-winning campaign, likely awaits. For Bayern, the task is daunting but not impossible, as their historical dominance over Inter in Milan and their knack for defying the odds in Europe offer a glimmer of hope. The stage is set for a titanic clash between two of Europe’s heavyweights, with the outcome hinging on moments of brilliance, tactical nous, and the ability to seize the initiative in one of the continent’s most iconic arenas.
The first leg at the Allianz Arena was a testament to Inter’s evolution under Inzaghi, a manager who has transformed the Nerazzurri into a well-oiled machine capable of competing with Europe’s elite. From the outset, Inter showcased their counter-attacking prowess, slicing through Bayern’s high defensive line with a move that ranks among the finest of the season. The opening goal, a flowing sequence involving Hakan Çalhanoğlu, Nicolò Barella, and Lautaro Martínez, was finished with clinical precision, sending the traveling Inter fans into raptures. The strike epitomized Inzaghi’s philosophy: disciplined defending coupled with devastating transitions. However, Bayern, led by the evergreen Müller, refused to capitulate, and the 35-year-old’s late header, capitalizing on a rare lapse in Inter’s concentration, restored parity and threatened to swing the momentum. Just as the Allianz Arena began to believe in an unlikely Bayern comeback, Inter delivered a counterpunch of their own. Frattesi, the dynamic midfielder who has become a key cog in Inzaghi’s system, latched onto a pinpoint pass from Marcus Thuram and fired past Bayern’s young goalkeeper Jonas Urbig to secure a 2-1 victory. The goal was a dagger to Bayern’s hopes, and Inter’s ability to regroup after Müller’s equalizer demonstrated their mental fortitude. The victory was Inter’s fifth consecutive win in the Champions League, a feat they last achieved during their 2009-10 treble-winning season under José Mourinho, and it ended Bayern’s four-year unbeaten run at home in the competition. For Inzaghi, the result was a vindication of his tactical approach, but he will be acutely aware that the job is only half done, with Bayern’s pedigree and historical edge over Inter at the San Siro looming large.
Inter’s formidable record at the San Siro adds an extra layer of intrigue to the second leg, as the Nerazzurri have not lost a Champions League match at home in 14 outings, a streak that now stands as the longest ongoing run in the competition. The San Siro, with its towering stands and passionate tifosi, is a fortress where Inter have consistently risen to the occasion, and their 3-1 Serie A victory over Cagliari at the weekend only reinforced their momentum. That win, which saw Inzaghi rotate key players like Thuram, Alessandro Bastoni, and Henrikh Mkhitaryan to keep them fresh for Bayern, highlighted Inter’s depth and versatility. The Nerazzurri are unbeaten in 12 matches across all competitions, a run that includes a commanding lead at the top of Serie A and a strong position in their Coppa Italia semifinal against AC Milan. The prospect of another treble, mirroring their 2010 heroics, is tantalizing, and Inter’s ability to maintain their unbeaten run at home will be crucial. Historically, Inter have progressed from 21 of their 23 Champions League ties after winning the first leg, a statistic that bodes well for their chances. However, the memory of last season’s last-16 exit to Atlético Madrid, where they squandered a dominant first-leg performance, serves as a cautionary tale. Inzaghi’s decision to rest key players against Cagliari reflects his meticulous preparation, but injuries to Piotr Zieliński and Denzel Dumfries, coupled with a selection dilemma at left wing-back between the in-form Carlos Augusto and the returning Federico Dimarco, add complexity to his plans. The availability of Kristjan Asllani, back from a European suspension, and Mehdi Taremi, who has recovered from a muscle injury, provides Inzaghi with additional options, but the focus will be on maintaining the intensity and focus that defined their first-leg triumph.
For Bayern Munich, the second leg represents a chance to salvage their Champions League campaign and ease the mounting pressure on manager Vincent Kompany. The first-leg defeat was a bitter pill to swallow, marking Bayern’s first home loss in Europe since Paris Saint-Germain’s victory in the 2021 quarter-finals. Kompany, who has faced scrutiny despite Bayern’s six-point lead in the Bundesliga, knows that a failure to overturn the deficit could intensify calls for his departure. Bayern’s 2-2 draw against Borussia Dortmund in Der Klassiker at the weekend, while not a defeat, did little to inspire confidence, as they relied on late goals from Müller and Serge Gnabry to secure a point. The result, coupled with Bayer Leverkusen’s slip-up, strengthened Bayern’s grip on the Bundesliga title, but their European form remains a concern. Bayern have won only one of their last eight Champions League ties after losing the first leg, though that solitary success came against Italian opposition—Lazio in last season’s round of 16—offering a sliver of hope. More encouragingly, Bayern boast an extraordinary record at the San Siro against Inter, having won all four of their away matches against the Nerazzurri, three in the Champions League, without conceding a goal. This streak, Inter’s longest home losing run against a single opponent in Europe, will fuel Bayern’s belief that they can defy the odds. However, injuries to key players like Jamal Musiala, Alphonso Davies, Dayot Upamecano, and Hiroki Ito, combined with Manuel Neuer’s absence until late April, weaken Bayern’s squad. Kompany faces selection dilemmas, with Gnabry pushing for a start after his goal against Dortmund, while Raphael Guerreiro’s versatility could see him deployed as a No. 10. The reliance on young goalkeeper Urbig adds an element of uncertainty, but Bayern’s attacking firepower, led by Harry Kane and Leroy Sané, remains a potent threat.
As the two sides prepare to collide, the historical and emotional weight of the tie adds to the drama. For Inter, a victory would mark a significant step toward emulating their 2010 treble, when they defeated Bayern in the Champions League final to complete a historic season. The prospect of facing Barcelona in the semifinals, a repeat of their 2010 semifinal triumph, carries symbolic resonance, as Inter seek to reclaim their place among Europe’s elite. For Bayern, the match is a chance to reassert their dominance and silence doubters, with Kompany’s tactical acumen under the microscope. The San Siro will be a cauldron of noise and passion, with Inter’s fans desperate to see their team take another step toward glory. The outcome will hinge on Inter’s ability to maintain their defensive solidity and capitalize on counter-attacking opportunities, while Bayern must summon the spirit of their past European comebacks to overcome their injury crisis and historical demons. As the Champions League enters its decisive phase, this clash promises to be a defining moment in the season, with both teams acutely aware that immortality awaits the victors and oblivion beckons for the vanquished.
