Inter Secures Thrilling Second Leg Stalemate with Bayern to Reach Champions League Semi-Finals

Inter Milan triumphed in a captivating second leg of the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals, drawing 2-2 with Bayern Munich at the San Siro and advancing with a 4-3 aggregate score.

With a flawless record of never having lost a Champions League or European Cup knockout round after securing victory away in the first leg, the intimidating atmosphere at the San Siro presented a huge challenge for an injury-riddled Bayern side.

However, Vincent Kompany’s team came out with purpose, as the soon-to-be departing Thomas Muller caused plenty of disruption, teaming up with Michael Olise to create scoring opportunities.

Inter needed a spectacular last-ditch tackle from the influential Alessandro Bastoni to deny Olise, although the home team also had their chances, notably with Federico Dimarco and Hakan Calhanoglu both missing the target from long range.

Just before half-time, Bayern pushed hard for an equaliser, with Leroy Sane and Joshua Kimmich both forcing saves. Thanks to Yann Sommer’s efforts, Inter continued their remarkable record by letting in just one first-half goal in this season’s Champions League, but their luck ran out mere minutes into the second half.

Harry Kane, who had been relatively quiet until that moment, received the ball from Leon Goretzka and unleashed a powerful shot past Dimarco into the far bottom corner.

Inter’s response was rapid and remarkable. As in the first leg, they struck back straight away when Lautaro Martinez seized on a loose ball from a corner and drilled it low into the bottom left corner.

The San Siro erupted as the Argentine became the first Inter player to find the net in five consecutive UCL matches, and they were soon cheering once more when former Bayern defender Benjamin Pavard rose above Kim Min-jae to power a header straight past Urbig.

Just prior to that second goal, Eric Dier had executed a stunning goal-line clearance, and he soon brought Bayern back within one by steering Serge Gnabry’s cross into the far corner with a header from a tight angle.

The German side only began to apply significant pressure in stoppage time, but Inter held firm, maintaining their hopes for a treble and extending their unbeaten streak to 15 Champions League home matches— the longest active run in the tournament.

The 2010 champions will now face Barcelona in their quest to reach the final for a second time in three years, while Bayern and Kane will have to settle for a missed trophy this season, although they remain well-positioned to reclaim the Bundesliga title.