The stage is set for an electrifying showdown as Inter Milan prepares to host Bayern Munich in the return leg of the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals at the iconic Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, commonly known as San Siro. The match kicks off at 21:00 on April 16, 2025, and promises to be a thrilling contest as both teams vie for a coveted spot in the semi-finals.
Inter enters this clash with a slight advantage, having secured a 2-1 victory in the first leg at Bayern's Allianz Arena, thanks to goals from Lautaro Martinez and Frattesi. This puts the Nerazzurri in a favorable position, as they can afford to progress with a draw or even a narrow loss, depending on the aggregate score. However, head coach Simone Inzaghi has warned against complacency, emphasizing that, "there will be suffering because Bayern, alongside Real Madrid, is the strongest team in the world."
On the other side, Bayern Munich, under the management of Vincent Kompany, faces the daunting task of overturning the deficit from the first leg. The German giants are coming off a shaky period, having drawn 2-2 against Borussia Dortmund, which highlighted some defensive vulnerabilities. Despite this, they welcome back key players Pavlovic and Coman, although they will be without star goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.
As the teams prepare for battle, the refereeing team will be led by Slovenian official Slavko Vinčić, with assistants Tomaž Klančnik and Andraž Kovačič, and fourth official Matej Jug. The match will also feature VAR technology, overseen by Alen Borošak and Dennis Higler.
Fans eager to watch the action can tune in exclusively on Amazon Prime Video, which has been broadcasting Champions League matches throughout the season. Coverage begins with a pre-match show at 19:30, featuring a panel that includes Federica Masolin, Paolo Condò, Esteban Cambiasso, Paolo Di Canio, Alessandro Del Piero, and Mario Giunta for news updates.
Historically, the rivalry between Inter and Bayern has been intense, with both teams claiming three victories in their last six Champions League encounters. However, Bayern has the upper hand in terms of past performances at home, having won all four of their away matches against Inter in European competitions without conceding a goal. This includes their 2-0 victory in 2006, a 1-0 win in 2011, and another 2-0 triumph in 2022.
Inter has been formidable at home, remaining unbeaten in their last 14 Champions League matches at San Siro, with 12 wins and 2 draws. This impressive streak makes them a tough opponent on their own turf, and they will be looking to continue their strong form in front of their home fans.
While Inter's recent performance in the Champions League has been stellar, their record in knockout stages is equally impressive. They have progressed in 21 of their last 23 knockout ties in the competition after winning the first leg, a statistic that bodes well for their chances tonight. The only two eliminations came in 2000 and 2021, with the latter being a heartbreaking defeat to Atlético Madrid on penalties after a 2-2 aggregate score.
As for Bayern, they have struggled in recent knockout rounds, having progressed in only one of their last eight ties after losing the first leg. However, they will draw confidence from their recent comeback against Lazio last season, where they overturned a first-leg deficit to advance.
The stakes are high for both teams as they aim for a place in the semi-finals, where the winner will face either Barcelona or Borussia Dortmund, who are currently locked in their own quarter-final battle.
In terms of lineups, Inzaghi is expected to field a strong team, with a defensive trio of Pavard, Acerbi, and Bastoni. The midfield will feature Calhanoglu, Barella, and Mkhitaryan, while Lautaro and Thuram will lead the attack. The only absentees for Inter are Dumfries and Zielinski.
Bayern, on the other hand, will likely stick to their 4-2-3-1 formation, with Kane spearheading the attack supported by Olise, Muller, and Sané. Despite the absence of Neuer, they will be looking to leverage their attacking prowess to secure a vital away win.
As the countdown to kick-off continues, excitement builds among fans and pundits alike. Will Inter maintain their advantage and secure a place in the last four, or can Bayern mount a comeback to keep their Champions League hopes alive? Only time will tell as these two European heavyweights clash under the lights of San Siro.
With everything on the line, this match is not just a test of skill but also of character, determination, and strategy. Both teams know the importance of this game, and the atmosphere in Milan promises to be electric as they battle for supremacy in one of the most prestigious tournaments in football.
