Inter Milan have done it again, reminiscent of the 2010 Champions league final
Inter Milan have done it again, reminiscent of the 2010 Champions league final, they have beaten Bayern Munich yet again at the European stage. Inter drew with Bayern 2-2 on the night and won the tie 4-3 on aggregate after winning the 1st leg 2-1 in Munich.
The match was marked with an intense build up to the match as Bayern were on the lookout for a Remontada after the leg deficit but Inter Milan had other plans.
The Azzurri played the game to their strength
The Azzurri played the game to their strength and were comfortable in sitting and defending deep while attacking on Counters. The first half was a template of this tactic. Bayern Munich was adamant on attacking from the get go.
The intent was clear from Bayern as they wanted to go all out BUT Inter was ready for this as they built a fortress around the goal and defended very well. Apart from defending, Inter was fast onto breaks and were excellent in transitions.
This approach saw the game become condensed in the Inter half and get condensed on the field. The first half saw attempts but no goals to avail for either team.
The second half started with a bang
The second half started with a bang as Kane who ghosted in the first leg of the tie came in clutch and scored a beautiful No.9 goal in the 52nd from a tight angle beating Sommer for the first time in the tie. This goal brought parity in the tie and an opportunity for Bayern to build on the momentum but it was Inter who found their calling.
The goal looked like a wake up call for Inter and the Italians responded beautifully. The Azzurri responded with a double blow from the corner. The first goal was scored by Lautaro Martinez who scored a predatory goal when the ball dropped after pinballing the in the danger zone in the 58th minute.
Benjamin Pavard scored a commanding header from another corner
3 minutes later, Benjamin Pavard scored a commanding header from another corner which saw them take the lead on the night for the first time and lead the score with 4-2 on aggregate. Pavard, who used to be a Bayern Munich player, scored the clutch goal against his former team and did not shy away from celebrating.
That goal did not bring the Bayern morale down as they were keen to get back into the game. Vincent Kompany threw in every card up his sleeve as he introduced changes on a regular basis. These reinforcements brought a new energy to the team as Eric Dier scored a header from a deep corner in the 76th minute.
Eric Dier scored a header from a deep corner in the 76th minute
This brought a new life into the game and a lone goal between the teams meant that Bayern were in attacking mode for the last 15 minutes of the game but Inter Milan had other plans. No access was awarded to any Bayern player as Inter displayed good defensive play to see the game out.
Chances were produced in the injury time via Harry Kane and Kingsley Coman but both failed to convert it meaning that Inter are through to the semis of the Champion League and will now be facing Barcelona.
