Inter Milan secured a crucial 2-1 victory over Bayern Munich in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final, with a dramatic 88th-minute winner from Davide Frattesi. The late goal came just minutes after Bayern’s substitute Thomas Müller had equalized, following Lautaro Martínez’s first-half opener.
Bayern Munich, playing at home in Munich, started strongly despite the absence of Jamal Musiala, with Raphaël Guerreiro stepping into the No. 10 role. The six-time Champions League winners dominated the early stages, with Michael Olise and Harry Kane testing Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer. Kane came closest to scoring in the opening minutes, hitting the post with a curling shot after being set up by Olise.
Inter initially struggled to create clear chances but capitalized on a swift counterattack in the 34th minute. Marcus Thuram’s clever touch found Lautaro Martínez, who finished with finesse using the outside of his right foot, putting Inter ahead 1-0. Martínez’s goal marked his sixth in his last four Champions League appearances and gave Inter a vital lead at halftime.
Bayern Munich pushed hard for an equalizer in the second half but found it difficult to break down Inter’s disciplined defense. Yann Sommer was called into action several times, maintaining a solid presence in goal. On the other end, Martínez nearly doubled his tally early in the second half, only for Bayern’s young goalkeeper Jonas Urbig, deputizing for the injured Manuel Neuer, to make a crucial save to keep his side in the game.
Bayern’s persistence finally paid off in the 85th minute when Konrad Laimer delivered a precise ball to Thomas Müller, who was quick to tap in from close range, just 11 minutes after coming on as a substitute. The goal marked Müller’s 244th for Bayern and seemed to salvage a draw for the German side, giving them hope heading into the final minutes of the match.
However, Inter Milan had other plans. In the dying moments of the match, Carlos Augusto surged down the left flank and delivered a pinpoint cross that Davide Frattesi converted emphatically from close range. The goal handed Inter a vital away win and denied Bayern a draw, ending the German side’s impressive 22-match unbeaten home run in the Champions League.
The 2-1 scoreline gives Inter Milan a crucial advantage heading into the second leg at San Siro next week. Bayern Munich now faces an uphill battle to overturn the deficit and keep their Champions League hopes alive. Inter will look to build on their lead and secure a spot in the semi-finals, while Bayern will have to regroup and find a way to break down Inter’s resilient defense in front of their home fans.
The first leg demonstrated the quality and determination of both teams, with Inter’s clinical finishing and Bayern’s attacking persistence creating an exciting and competitive encounter. The second leg promises to be an even more thrilling affair as both teams look to secure their place in the semi-finals of Europe’s most prestigious club competition.
