Inter Milan secured their place in the UEFA Champions League semi-finals with a dramatic 4-3 aggregate victory over Bayern Munich, culminating in a 2-2 draw in the second leg at the iconic San Siro Stadium. Goals from Lautaro Martínez and Benjamin Pavard propelled the Nerazzurri forward, setting up an eagerly anticipated semi-final showdown with Barcelona.
The match, played under blustery conditions with vicious winds and later sheets of rain, was a testament to Inter’s resilience and tactical discipline under coach Simone Inzaghi. Trailing 2-1 from the first leg, Bayern Munich came into the game with hopes of overturning the deficit, but Inter’s clinical finishing and defensive solidity proved decisive.
The opening 45 minutes saw Bayern dominate possession with 63% of the ball, moving it with precision and completing more passes than their hosts. However, Inter’s defensive setup, marshaled by the likes of Alessandro Bastoni and Federico Dimarco, frustrated Bayern’s attacking efforts. Despite their control, Bayern managed only three shots on target, with Harry Kane and Leroy Sané struggling to find a breakthrough.
Inter, content to absorb pressure and exploit transitions, created few chances but remained dangerous. A moment of brilliance from Henrikh Mkhitaryan nearly broke the deadlock, but his effort was disrupted by the swirling winds, sending the ball harmlessly back toward Inter’s half.
The game exploded into life early in the second half. Bayern struck first in the 53rd minute when Harry Kane capitalized on a defensive lapse, firing past Inter’s goalkeeper to level the aggregate score at 2-2. The San Siro crowd fell silent, sensing a shift in momentum.
However, Inter’s response was swift and devastating. Just three minutes later, in the 56th minute, Lautaro Martínez showcased his predatory instincts, latching onto a precise through ball and slotting it past Bayern’s stand-in goalkeeper Jonas Urbig. The Argentine’s goal restored Inter’s aggregate lead and reignited the home fans.
The Nerazzurri weren’t done. In the 59th minute, from a corner kick, former Bayern defender Benjamin Pavard rose above Min-jae Kim to power a bullet header into the net, leaving Urbig with no chance. The San Siro erupted as Inter surged to a 4-2 aggregate lead, with Pavard’s goal against his old club proving a poignant moment.
Bayern fought back desperately, and a late goal in the 82nd minute gave them a glimmer of hope, making it 2-2 on the night. But Inter’s defense, bolstered by 14 consecutive home games without a loss in the Champions League, held firm. A controversial moment in stoppage time saw Bayern’s Josip Stanišić push an Inter ball boy while retrieving the ball, a sign of the German side’s growing frustration.
Lautaro Martínez was the standout performer, earning praise for his composure and clinical finishing. His goal was his third in the tie, underlining his importance to Inter’s treble aspirations. Pavard, too, earned plaudits, not only for his goal but for his defensive work against his former employers. Coach Inzaghi’s tactical acumen was evident, as Inter executed their game plan with precision, refusing to be rattled by Bayern’s early second-half equalizer.
For Bayern, the loss marked the end of their Champions League campaign, despite a valiant effort. Harry Kane’s goal was a highlight, but the team’s inability to convert dominance into goals was their undoing. Injuries to key players like Alphonso Davies, Dayot Upamecano, and Hiroki Ito didn’t help, leaving their defense vulnerable at crucial moments.