Inter Hold Nerve in San Siro Thriller to Eliminate Bayern, Reach Champions League Semi-final
|IDNN Sports Desk | April 17, 2025
Nerazzurri Survive Late Bayern Push in Pulsating 2-2 Draw to Advance on Aggregate
Milan, Italy — Inter Milan booked their place in the UEFA Champions League semi-finals after holding Bayern Munich to a dramatic 2-2 draw at the San Siro, sealing a 4-3 aggregate victory in front of a roaring home crowd.
Coming into the tie with a slender 2-1 advantage from the first leg in Munich, Inter extended their remarkable record of never being eliminated from a European knockout tie after winning away in the opening leg — and did so in trademark fashion: gritty, clinical, and unflinching.
First-Half Tension, Second-Half Chaos
Despite missing key players, Vincent Kompany’s Bayern signaled intent from the start. Veteran Thomas Müller and Michael Olise tested Inter’s backline early, only to be denied by an imperious Alessandro Bastoni, whose crunching tackle on Olise summed up Inter’s early resilience.
At the other end, Federico Dimarco and Hakan Calhanoglu came close with long-range efforts, while Yann Sommer was kept busy by Bayern’s pressing, notably saving efforts from Leroy Sané and Joshua Kimmich just before halftime.
But in the second half, Harry Kane reminded the world of his menace. Fed by Leon Goretzka, the English striker cut inside and buried a clinical finish into the bottom corner — his first major involvement, but Bayern’s equalizer on aggregateLautaro and Pavard Lift Inter
Inter’s response was swift and symbolic of their character under Simone Inzaghi. Just like in the first leg, Lautaro Martínez answered Bayern’s blow within minutes, rifling home after a loose ball fell his way following a corner.
The Argentine’s goal marked a historic milestone — becoming the first Inter player to score in five consecutive Champions League matches.
Moments later, former Bayern man Benjamin Pavard rose above Kim Min-jae and powered in a bullet header, putting Inter back in front on the night and sending the home support into raptures.
Dier’s Fightback Not Enough
Eric Dier, on loan from Tottenham, kept Bayern’s hopes alive with a stunning goal-line clearance followed by an improbable looping header off a Serge Gnabry cross. His effort brought it to 2-2 on the night and 4-3 on aggregate — but that would be as close as Bayern got.
The German giants pushed in stoppage time, but Inter’s defense — unbeaten in their last 15 UCL home matches — stood firm.
🏁 What’s Next?
Inter Milan are now unbeaten at home in the Champions League for 15 straight matches — the longest active streak in the competition — and will face Barcelona in a blockbuster semi-final.
For Bayern, it’s another season of European heartbreak. Harry Kane’s wait for silverware continues, though the Bundesliga title remains within grasp.
