Inter Milan secured their place in the Champions League semi-finals with a thrilling draw against Bayern Munich at the iconic San Siro Stadium on April 16, 2025. The Italian champions entered the second leg with a 2-1 advantage from the first match, but the tension was palpable as Bayern aimed to overturn the deficit.
The match kicked off with both teams displaying a fierce determination to control the game. Bayern Munich, eager to make a comeback, applied pressure early on. Their efforts bore fruit in the 52nd minute when Harry Kane, the English striker, scored with a crisp, low strike after receiving a well-placed ball from Leon Goretzka. This goal leveled the aggregate score at 2-2, igniting hopes for the Bavarians.
However, Inter Milan responded swiftly. Just six minutes after Kane's goal, Lautaro Martínez found the back of the net, scoring from close range after a corner kick. The Argentine forward's quick reaction showcased his poaching instincts, putting Inter back in the lead on the night. Not content with just a one-goal cushion, Inter struck again in the 61st minute. Benjamin Pavard, who had previously played for Bayern, powered in a header from Hakan Çalhanoglu's precise delivery, making it 2-1 for Inter on the night and 4-2 on aggregate.
Bayern, however, was not done yet. With 14 minutes remaining, Eric Dier brought the Germans back into contention with a looping header from a tight angle, leveling the match at 2-2. This goal injected fresh energy into the Bayern side, who pushed for a third goal that would force extra time. The tension reached its peak in the fifth minute of added time when Thomas Müller had a golden opportunity to score, but his header was expertly saved by Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer.
Despite the late scare, Inter held firm, securing their spot in the semi-finals where they will face FC Barcelona. This matchup promises to be a thrilling encounter, as both teams aim for glory in Europe’s most prestigious club competition.
Inter's progression to the semi-finals marks a significant achievement for Simone Inzaghi's side, who are also competing for the Serie A title, leading the league by three points, and are in the Coppa Italia semi-finals. The resilience shown against Bayern Munich highlighted their determination to chase a potential treble this season.
The match statistics reflected a closely contested battle, with Bayern dominating possession but failing to convert their chances into goals. Inter's ability to capitalize on set pieces proved decisive, with both of their goals coming from corners. As the final whistle blew, the players celebrated their hard-earned qualification, while Bayern Munich's dreams of lifting a seventh Champions League trophy at home in the Allianz Arena came to a heartbreaking end.
Looking ahead, the semi-final clash against Barcelona will be a rematch of their previous encounter in the 2009-10 season, where Inter triumphed. Barcelona secured their semi-final spot by defeating Borussia Dortmund despite a 3-1 loss in the second leg, advancing with an aggregate score of 5-3. The upcoming matches are set to take place on April 29 and 30 for the first leg, and May 6 and 7 for the return leg, with kickoff scheduled for 21:00 (Spanish peninsular time).
As the excitement builds for the semi-finals, fans are eager to see if Inter can continue their remarkable run and challenge for the Champions League title once again. With a strong squad and a tactical approach that has proven effective, the Nerazzurri are ready to face the challenge that Barcelona will undoubtedly present.
