In a thrilling showdown at the iconic San Siro, Inter Milan edged out Bayern Munich with a 4-3 aggregate score to secure their place in the semifinals of the UEFA Champions League 2024-25. The second leg of the quarterfinal tie saw both teams battling fiercely, with Inter holding a narrow 2-1 advantage from the first leg, thanks to a late goal from Davide Frattesi.
The clash kicked off at 12:30 AM IST on April 17, 2025, and fans were treated to a display of high-stakes football as both teams sought to advance to the next round. Inter, boasting a remarkable 14 straight home wins, were favorites heading into the match, but Bayern Munich, despite ending a 22-match unbeaten streak, were determined to make a comeback.
As the match unfolded, it was clear that Bayern had come to fight. They pressed high and created several scoring opportunities early in the game. Thomas Müller, who was instrumental in Bayern's attacking plays, nearly found the back of the net with a powerful shot that was expertly saved by Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer.
In the first half, Lautaro Martínez, the Argentine striker for Inter, opened the scoring, giving the home side a vital goal. His header from a corner kick sent the San Siro crowd into a frenzy. However, Bayern responded with resilience, and it wasn't long before they found an equalizer through their own striker, Dier, who scored with a stunning header, bringing the score to 1-1.
Despite the setback, Inter regained their composure and struck back with another goal from Benjamin Pavard, who headed in from a corner, making it 2-1. The tension in the stadium was palpable as both teams fought for control, with Bayern desperately seeking another goal to level the aggregate score.
As the game progressed into the second half, Bayern Munich continued to push forward. Their efforts paid off when Harry Kane, the English international, scored a crucial goal, leveling the match at 2-2. This goal reignited Bayern's hopes, as they now needed just one more goal to advance on away goals.
However, Inter's defense held firm under pressure. The Nerazzurri, managed by Simone Inzaghi, showcased their tactical discipline and ability to absorb pressure. "We knew we had to defend well and take our chances when they came," said Inzaghi after the match.
With the match heading into stoppage time, Bayern continued to attack, but Inter's backline, led by the impressive Bastoni and Acerbi, thwarted every attempt. Sommer's crucial saves at key moments kept Inter in the game, and as the final whistle blew, it was clear that they had done enough to secure their place in the semifinals.
Following the match, Bayern manager Vincent Kompany reflected on the challenges his team faced throughout the tournament. "The big issue, before Inter, was injuries. We had to understand what we could do without some key players," he stated, highlighting the absence of Hiroki Ito, Dayot Upamecano, Jamal Musiala, Manuel Neuer, and Kingsley Coman, among others. Despite these setbacks, Kompany praised his team's performance, saying, "We showed a good Bayern Munich, and we had many scoring chances, more than Inter. I have mixed feelings. The harsh reality is that we will not play the Champions League final at home. We can't change that. The other aspect is the performance; we know we have done enough to win these games."
As the dust settles on this thrilling encounter, Inter Milan will look forward to their next challenge in the semifinals, while Bayern Munich must regroup and focus on their domestic campaign, hoping to recover from the injuries that plagued their Champions League run. The match served as a reminder of the competitive nature of European football, where every moment counts, and the stakes are always high.
