In a thrilling encounter at the Allianz Arena, FC Bayern Munich fell short against Inter Milan, losing 2-1 in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final on April 8, 2025. Despite the setback, Bayern players and coaching staff remain optimistic about their chances in the return leg in Milan next week.
The match saw Bayern start strongly, dominating possession and creating several clear-cut chances. However, it was Inter who drew first blood in the 38th minute when Lautaro Martinez found the net, putting the visitors ahead against the run of play. Bayern's coach, Vincent Kompany, acknowledged the missed opportunities, stating, "In the first half we were very dominant. We had clear chances and should have scored more goals."
As the match progressed, Bayern continued to press for an equalizer. Their efforts paid off late in the game when veteran forward Thomas Müller, who had been subbed on just 16 minutes prior, scored to level the match at 1-1. Müller expressed his disappointment with the final score, saying, "We certainly had imagined the first leg to turn out differently. But we know that there's definitely still a lot to play for."
However, just as Bayern seemed to have found their rhythm, Inter struck again in the 88th minute through Davide Frattesi, sealing the victory for the Italian side. The late goal left Bayern reeling, and Kompany lamented, "It's a shame to concede the second goal, but it's always our responsibility. We'll get the chance again in Milan. It's half-time, we still fully believe we have a chance in Milan."
The defeat marks Bayern's first home loss in 22 Champions League matches, a streak that stretches back to 2021. Despite missing several key players due to injury, including Jamal Musiala, Manuel Neuer, Alphonso Davies, and Dayot Upamecano, the team showed resilience and determination.
Striker Harry Kane, who was pivotal in creating chances throughout the match, echoed his coach's sentiments, stating, "There's 90 minutes to play and we've got the players to turn it around. Inter celebrated like they won the tie there at the end, but it's all there to play for."
Konrad Laimer, another key player for Bayern, expressed his belief that the team could have done more to secure a better result. "We should have gotten more out of the game. We did a lot of things well over long periods of time. Now it's time to recover, play Dortmund on Saturday, and then we'll turn our attention to next Wednesday – it's only half-time," Laimer said.
On the other side, Inter Milan's head coach, Simone Inzaghi, praised his team's performance, stating, "I'm happy with the win; we played a great game. We don't have to focus on the result, but instead on the performance we put in against a technically strong, cohesive, and great opponent."
Goalkeeper Yann Sommer, who played a crucial role in Inter's defense, remarked, "It was hard work, but it's an important win for us. We did a lot of things well, were efficient in front of goal and defended well." Hakan Çalhanoğlu added, "Next week is going to be pandemonium for us; we want to progress to the next round."
As Bayern looks ahead, they face a crucial Bundesliga match against Borussia Dortmund on Saturday, April 12, 2025, before the return leg against Inter in Milan on April 16, 2025. Kompany and his squad are determined to bounce back and turn the tie around.
With the Champions League knockout stages known for their unpredictability, Bayern's players are confident that they can rise to the occasion and secure a spot in the semi-finals. As Kompany stated, "We still fully believe we have a chance in Milan." The upcoming matches will be pivotal as Bayern aims to reclaim their status as one of Europe's elite clubs.
