Bayern Munich Falls Short Against Inter Milan In Champions League

In a dramatic showdown at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, Bayern Munich's hopes of advancing in the UEFA Champions League were dashed as they faced Inter Milan in the quarter-finals. Despite a valiant effort that saw them draw 2-2 in the second leg on April 17, 2025, Bayern fell short with a 3-4 aggregate score, marking their exit from the tournament.

Central defender Kim Min-jae, who started the match, played for 65 minutes before being substituted in the second half. He received a yellow card in the 28th minute for a tackle on Marcus Thuram, which foreshadowed a challenging evening for the South Korean international. Critics noted that his marking errors contributed to Bayern's downfall, particularly when Inter Milan's Benjamin Pavard scored a crucial goal shortly after Kim's yellow card.

The match began with an air of tension, both teams aware of the stakes. Bayern Munich took the lead in the 52nd minute when Harry Kane netted a stunning goal, slipping the ball through Federico Dimarco's legs for a well-placed shot. However, the joy was short-lived. Just moments later, Inter Milan equalized through Lautaro Martinez, who capitalized on a corner kick situation, catching the Bayern defense off guard.

In a swift turn of events, Inter took the lead in the 61st minute when Pavard headed home from another corner, leaving Bayern reeling. The pressure mounted on the Bavarians as they fought to regain control of the match. In the 76th minute, Eric Dier managed to level the score again with a header from a cross by Serge Gnabry, bringing hope back to the Bayern side.

Despite their best efforts to secure a winning goal, Bayern could not find the back of the net again. The match ended in a 2-2 draw, sealing their fate as they exited the Champions League. This loss also marked the end of their hopes for a domestic double this season, having been eliminated from the prestigious tournament.

Kim Min-jae's performance drew mixed reviews, with some critics pointing to his failure to effectively mark Pavard during the second goal as a turning point in the match. The BBC awarded him a score of 5.58, the lowest among Bayern players, while Kane received the highest score of 7.46 for his impactful performance.

Meanwhile, in another quarter-final clash, Arsenal continued their impressive run in the Champions League, defeating Real Madrid 2-1 in the second leg of their tie. Having won the first leg 3-0, Arsenal advanced to the semi-finals with a commanding aggregate score of 5-1, marking their first appearance in the final four since the 2008-2009 season.

Arsenal's victory was highlighted by a standout performance from Bukayo Saka, who scored a crucial goal after initially missing a penalty in the first half. His chip shot in the 65th minute extended Arsenal's lead, and despite Vinicius Jr. scoring for Real Madrid shortly after, Arsenal held firm to secure their place in the next round.

The upcoming semi-finals will see Arsenal face Paris Saint-Germain, while Inter Milan will compete against Barcelona, who also advanced after their own quarter-final victory.

As the Champions League progresses, the stakes are higher than ever, with teams vying for the coveted title. Bayern Munich will now have to regroup and focus on their domestic league, while Arsenal and the other semi-finalists prepare for what promises to be an exciting conclusion to the tournament.