In a pulsating UEFA Champions League quarterfinal first leg, Inter Milan delivered a knockout blow to Bayern Munich’s hopes of a home final, snatching a dramatic 2-1 victory at the Allianz Arena. Substitute Davide Frattesi’s 88th-minute winner capped a thrilling encounter defined by missed chances, defensive lapses, and a late twist that left Bayern reeling.
The hosts stormed out of the gates, with Harry Kane at the heart of their early threats. The England captain squandered two golden opportunities: a tame 14th-minute header saved by Inter’s Yann Sommer and a curling effort in the 26th minute that rattled the post, leaving Kane clutching his face in disbelief.
Michael Olise, Bayern’s brightest spark, tormented Inter’s defense with incisive runs, but his teammates failed to capitalize on his creativity.
Against the run of play, Lautaro Martínez silenced the Munich crowd in the 38th minute with a moment of brilliance. Starting the move in midfield, Martínez surged forward to meet Marcus Thuram’s audacious backheel flick, smashing a first-time finish into the roof of the net. The goal exemplified Inter’s clinical edge, as they converted their first shot on target.
With Bayern trailing, Thomas Müller—announcing his summer departure days earlier—entered as a substitute to a rapturous ovation. The 35-year-old scripted a fairytale moment in the 85th minute, tapping in Konrad Laimer’s cross to level the score. The Allianz Arena erupted, but the joy was short-lived .
Just three minutes later, Inter struck on the counter. Nicolò Barella orchestrated a rapid break, releasing Carlos Augusto down the left. His low cross found Frattesi, who pounced to slot home the winner, crushing Bayern’s momentum and extending their Champions League home unbeaten streak to 23 games.
Despite generating 3.18 expected goals (xG), Bayern’s profligacy proved costly. Kane’s off-night and Sommer’s heroics (six saves) kept Inter alive.
Alessandro Bastoni starred for the visitors, blocking multiple shots and anchoring a resolute backline. His last-ditch tackle on Kane in stoppage time epitomized Inter’s grit.
Bayern manager Vincent Kompany faced scrutiny for benching Müller initially and substituting defender Sacha Boey, whose positioning contributed to Inter’s winner.
The Serie A leaders carry a vital away-goal advantage to the San Siro. Simone Inzaghi’s side, eyeing a repeat of their 2010 treble-winning campaign, demonstrated tactical maturity and resilience. A draw or narrow loss in the second leg (April 16) would see them advance.
The Bavarians must overturn a deficit in Milan to keep their Champions League final dreams alive. With the final set for their home stadium on May 31, the pressure mounts on Kompany to fix defensive frailties and reignite Kane’s form. Injuries to Jamal Musiala and others further complicate their task.
The second leg promises fireworks. Bayern’s attacking firepower—led by Kane and Olise—must pierce Inter’s disciplined defense, while the Italians will rely on Martínez’s lethal finishing and Bastoni’s leadership. The winner faces Barcelona or Borussia Dortmund in the semifinals, with Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain lurking on the other side of the bracket.
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