Inter Milan booked their place in the UEFA Champions League semi-finals after a dramatic 2-2 draw with Bayern Munich at the San Siro Stadium on Wednesday night, April 16th, securing a 4-3 aggregate victory. The Italian side survived a late Bayern onslaught to set up a tantalising semi-final clash with FC Barcelona.
Leading 2-1 from the first leg in Munich, Inter weathered early pressure before Bayern leveled the tie early in the second half. Harry Kane received the ball just inside the area and fired a crisp, low strike into the far corner shortly after the break (around the 50th minute).
The goal sparked a superb reaction from Inter. Lautaro Martínez, scoring for the fifth consecutive Champions League match, lashed home from close range following a corner in the 59th minute to restore Inter’s aggregate lead. Just three minutes later, defender Benjamin Pavard powerfully headed home a Hakan Çalhanoğlu corner against his former club, putting Inter 2-1 up on the night and 4-2 ahead overall.
Bayern refused to give up. Eric Dier pulled a goal back with a looping header from a tight angle at the back post in the 76th minute, making it 2-2 on the night and setting up a nervy finale with Inter leading 4-3 on aggregate.
Vincent Kompany’s side pushed desperately for an equalizer to force extra time. Thomas Müller had a golden opportunity deep into stoppage time, but his close-range header was crucially saved by Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer.
Inter held firm through the final moments to secure their progression. Simone Inzaghi’s team keeps their hopes of a potential treble alive (currently leading Serie A and in the Coppa Italia semi-finals) and will now face Barcelona for a place in the Champions League final, which ironically will be held at Bayern’s Allianz Arena. For Bayern, elimination marks the end of their European campaign.
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