Buffeted by wind and rain, Inter Milan powered their way into the Champions League semi-finals with a dramatic and hard-fought triumph over Bayern Munich. The 2-2 draw on the night, combined with their 4-3 aggregate win, secured their place in the final four, setting up a mouthwatering clash with Barcelona. Goals from Lautaro Martínez and Benjamin Pavard proved enough to edge out a Bayern side that fought until the final whistle, despite goals from Harry Kane and Eric Dier.
The San Siro, steeped in European history and charged with atmosphere, was a fitting stage for a contest of such magnitude. As the Champions League anthem rang out across the historic venue, the crowd responded with deafening unity, setting the tone for a night that would not disappoint.
Inter entered the second leg with confidence after a late winner in Munich had given them a slim advantage. Bayern, however, came out with intent, spurred on by veteran forward Thomas Müller. Within minutes, Müller was at the center of the action, setting up Michael Olise only for a crucial block by Pavard to deny an early goal. Moments later, Müller tested Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer with a sharp effort, and he continued to orchestrate attacks with typical guile and intelligence.
Despite Bayern’s energetic start, the game began to settle, and Inter found their rhythm. Federico Dimarco, back in the starting eleven, caused problems down the left and nearly scored with a fierce early drive. The hosts’ wide play remained a consistent threat, but it wasn’t until Francesco Acerbi latched onto a Dimarco free-kick that they came close to scoring. Acerbi’s effort flew across goal, a sign that Inter were growing into the contest.
The first half was a tale of missed opportunities. Hakan Calhanoglu went close with a low drive that had the goalkeeper rooted. Bayern, however, carved out perhaps the best chance just before the break. Müller again was central, teeing up a shot that Matteo Darmian bravely blocked, with Sommer then scrambling to deny Leroy Sané’s follow-up. The half ended with both sides knowing the tie was far from over.
The weather worsened as the second half began, the wind and rain swirling around San Siro. Bayern struck first, and it was Kane who delivered. Leon Goretzka played him in down the right, and the striker drove a clinical shot across Sommer to level the tie. It was a moment of redemption for Kane after his misses in the first leg, and it momentarily swung the momentum in Bayern’s favor.
But Inter responded almost immediately. Thuram forced a save from Jonas Urbig, and then Martínez finally made his presence felt. After initially heading wide from a corner, he pounced on a rebound off Joshua Kimmich and lashed home to restore Inter’s aggregate lead.
The home side sensed Bayern’s vulnerability and pressed again. From another Calhanoglu corner, Pavard rose highest and thundered a header into the net, sending the home fans into raptures. Inter looked to be in control, but Bayern refused to lie down.
Olise had a late chance saved, and from the resulting corner, Dier rose to nod in a looping header, giving Bayern a lifeline. The tension was unbearable as the game edged into stoppage time. Kane had a late opportunity to rescue Bayern, but he fired over, and the chance was gone.
When the final whistle blew, San Siro erupted. Inter had weathered the storm both literal and metaphorical and emerged victorious. Their journey to the semi-finals had been anything but easy, but with Barcelona awaiting, the dream of European glory remains very much alive.
