In a thrilling showdown that had fans on the edge of their seats, Inter Milan edged out Barcelona 4-3 after extra time in the return leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-final on May 6, 2025. The match, held at the iconic Giuseppe Meazza stadium in Milan, was nothing short of a rollercoaster ride, showcasing the highs and lows of both teams as they battled for a spot in the final.
Inter started the match with a bang, as Lautaro Martinez opened the scoring early on. The Nerazzurri doubled their lead when Hakan Calhanoglu converted a penalty, making it 2-0 and seemingly putting them in control. However, Barcelona, known for their resilience, responded fiercely after the break. Eric Garcia and Dani Olmo both scored to level the match at 2-2, demonstrating Barcelona's attacking prowess.
The drama intensified when Raphinha scored in the 87th minute, putting Barcelona ahead for the first time at 3-2. Just when it seemed like the Catalan giants were set to secure their place in the final, Inter's Francesco Acerbi equalized in the fifth minute of added time, heading in a cross from Denzel Dumfries. This goal brought the aggregate score to 6-6, forcing the match into extra time.
In the tense extra period, both teams continued to press for the decisive goal. It was Davide Frattesi who delivered the crucial blow in the 99th minute, scoring to put Inter ahead 4-3. Thanks to a well-placed pass from Mehdi Taremi, Frattesi found himself in a perfect position and calmly slotted the ball into the bottom left corner of the net. This goal not only sent the home crowd into a frenzy but also gave Inter a 7-6 aggregate lead.
However, the match was not without its concerns. On the 101st minute, the referee paused the game as Frattesi required medical attention after sustaining an injury. Fortunately, he was able to return to the pitch without being substituted, much to the relief of Inter fans.
After the match, Frattesi expressed his elation and disbelief at the thrilling victory. "What was that? I don't know! I celebrated so loudly that my head was spinning. After the match in Munich, I thought I would never experience such emotions again. But the beauty of football is boundless. This is part of me—I am the first among those who believe and the last to give up. When the score became 3-3, I told Marcus [Thuram] that we would go further," he said, reflecting on the emotional rollercoaster of the match.
Inter's coach, Simone Inzaghi, praised his team's determination and character, highlighting their ability to come back from adversity. "This match showed the heart of our team. We fought until the very end, and that resilience is what has brought us to the final," he stated in a post-match interview.
Barcelona's coach, Hansi Flick, acknowledged the disappointment but also recognized the effort his players put in. "Losing after coming back twice is painful. We played attacking football, but our defense struggled under pressure. This experience will only make us stronger," he remarked.
As the dust settles on this thrilling semi-final, Inter Milan now looks ahead to the Champions League final, where they will face the winner of the other semi-final clash between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal, who played their first leg with PSG winning 1-0. This match-up promises to be another exciting chapter in the Champions League saga.
In a season where Inter has shown remarkable resilience, having played 47 matches and boasting a record of 7 goals and 2 assists from Frattesi alone, they have proven themselves as serious contenders. The upcoming final will be a chance for redemption after their defeat in the 2023 final, and fans are eager to see if they can capitalize on their current momentum.
The Champions League final is set to be a grand event, and with the stakes higher than ever, both Inter and their potential opponents will be looking to leave their mark in football history.
