Inter Milan Stun Bayern Munich with 2-1 Victory in Champions League Quarterfinal First Leg

In a thrilling UEFA Champions League quarterfinal first-leg clash at the Allianz Arena, Inter Milan delivered a stunning 2-1 upset against Bayern Munich, taking a slender but crucial advantage into the second leg. The Italian side showcased their defensive resilience and clinical finishing, capitalizing on Bayern’s injury woes to silence the home crowd and shake up the race to the semifinals.

The match, played on Tuesday night, saw Inter Milan strike first through their talismanic striker Lautaro Martínez. In the 38th minute, Martínez latched onto a precise pass from Marcus Thuram, outmuscling Bayern’s defense before firing a low shot past stand-in goalkeeper Sven Ulreich. The goal highlighted Inter’s counter-attacking prowess and set the tone for a tense evening in Munich.

Bayern, hampered by a string of injuries to key players like Manuel Neuer, Dayot Upamecano, Alphonso Davies, and the season-ending absence of Jamal Musiala, struggled to find their usual rhythm. Despite dominating possession, the Bundesliga leaders lacked their typical cutting edge in the final third for much of the game. Harry Kane and Leroy Sané tested Inter’s Yann Sommer, but the former Bayern goalkeeper stood tall, reinforcing Inter’s defensive wall.

The tide seemed to turn late in the match when Bayern legend Thomas Müller, introduced as a substitute, equalized in the 85th minute. Müller, in what will be his final Champions League campaign with Bayern, rose above the Inter defense to head in a pinpoint cross from Joshua Kimmich. The Allianz Arena erupted, sensing a comeback from the six-time European champions, who have been unbeaten in their last 22 home games in the competition prior to this night.

However, Inter had other plans. Just three minutes later, in the 88th minute, substitute Davide Frattesi restored the visitors’ lead with a predatory finish. A swift breakaway saw Marcus Thuram slip the ball to Frattesi, who calmly slotted it past Ulreich, sparking wild celebrations among the 4,000 traveling Inter fans. The goal underscored Inter’s remarkable efficiency, having conceded just two goals in their ten Champions League matches this season.

Bayern head coach Vincent Kompany cut a frustrated figure post-match, acknowledging the challenge ahead. “We had our chances, but we weren’t clinical enough. Inter punished us, and now we’ve got work to do in Milan,” he said. Despite the loss, Kompany remained defiant, pointing to Bayern’s pedigree in European comebacks. “This tie is far from over.”

Inter manager Simone Inzaghi, meanwhile, hailed his team’s discipline and spirit. “To come here and win against a team like Bayern is a huge statement. We knew they’d push us, but the boys stuck to the plan. It’s only halftime in this tie, though—we need to be ready for the second leg,” he cautioned.

The match statistics painted a picture of Bayern’s dominance—61% possession and 18 shots compared to Inter’s 9—but it was the Serie A leaders who made their opportunities count. For Bayern, the absence of key personnel was evident, with Müller’s late impact a reminder of what might have been had they been at full strength.