By Martin Graham
Inter have advanced to the Champions League semi-finals for the second time in three years, narrowly edging Bayern Munich 4-3 over two legs in a tense quarter-final showdown. A 2-2 result in Milan saw the Italian side progress, having claimed a slender 2-1 victory in the first meeting in Germany.
Davide Frattesi had been the match-winner in Munich with a late strike that gave Inter a vital lead to take back to San Siro. The return leg proved a test of nerves, with both teams exchanging blows in a back-and-forth contest.
Despite missing key players like Jamal Musiala, Manuel Neuer, Alphonso Davies, and Dayot Upamecano, Bayern came into the second leg determined to overturn the deficit. Harry Kane gave them hope with a clinical finish early in the second half, drawing the teams level on aggregate.
Quick response keeps Inter ahead
Inter’s reply was immediate. Within minutes of Kane’s goal, Lautaro Martinez struck from close range after Bayern failed to clear a corner. That effort was swiftly followed by a header from Benjamin Pavard, who punished his former club with a decisive goal that widened the overall gap.
Though Bayern pulled one back through Eric Dier with a looping header from a short corner routine, it wasn’t enough. The German side needed just one more goal to force extra time but couldn’t find it, even during six minutes of added time.
Yann Sommer, formerly of Bayern, made several key interventions to deny his old teammates. Joshua Kimmich and Leroy Sane both tested him late in the first half, but he stood firm. Meanwhile, Jonas Urbig produced crucial stops at the other end, including two in the early stages against Marcus Thuram.
End of the road for Bayern and Muller
Bayern’s fast start saw Thomas Muller and Michael Olise both threaten early on as the visitors chased the goal to level the tie. For Muller, the night marked his final Champions League appearance for the club, adding a layer of emotion to an already high-stakes fixture.
Despite their efforts, the Bundesliga side couldn’t find the breakthrough they needed late on. The result sends Inter through to the final four, continuing a strong run in Europe and giving them another chance to chase continental silverware.
Martin Graham is an MFF sports writer
