Davide Frattesi's late strike has given Inter Milan a huge psychological advantage going into the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final against Bayern Munich following a dramatic finale at the Allianz Arena that ended 2-1 to the visitors.
Lautaro Martinez scored the opening goal of the tie, finishing off a fine counter-attacking move in the dying embers of the first half, but Thomas Muller rolled back the years with a customary close-range finish with six minutes remaining to level the score.
However, within just three minutes, an inch-perfect pass from Nicolo Barella, and clever play from Carlos Augusto, set up Frattesi who fired past Jonas Urbig to sink the hosts in Bavaria.
Not only does it give Inter a one-goal advantage to take into the second leg, but one must wonder what damage the suckerpunch could have on Bayern going to San Siro.
The Bayern goal came from a brief switch-off by the Inter backline, but Simone Inzaghi's men ensured that no more efforts reigned down on Yann Sommer's goal in the final moments, as they were able to see out injury time, and win 2-1, keeping those dreams alive of repeating the treble they achieved 15 years ago.
The second leg at San Siro takes place next Wednesday, with Inter now big favourites to progress to face either Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund in the semi-finals.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
© Imago
Inter went under the radar when they reached the final in 2023, and they were bitterly disappointed to go out in the last 16 despite a dominant first-leg performance against Atletico Madrid last season.
However, following tonight's performance, ending Bayern's 22-game unbeaten home run on the continent, all of Europe should be sitting up and taking notice of a team that has been playing at a high level for quite some time now.
Most of the attention has been centred towards Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and reigning champions Real Madrid, but Inter have taken one giant leap towards the semi-finals with this result tonight, and anybody who has watched the Nerazzurri over the past three years will not be surprised by the outcome.
Vincent Kompany's Bayern have flattered to deceive at times, but it is tough to be too harsh on them after this result, given the level of opposition, the manner of the circumstances, and they fact they are still a work-in-progress under the Belgian manager.
However, managers do not get long to impress at the Allianz, and elimination from this open quarter-final could be fatal to Kompany's hopes of staying on at the club next season, regardless of whether they seal a Bundesliga crown next month, so an intriguing second leg awaits.
BAYERN VS. INTER HIGHLIGHTS
Martinez goal vs. Bayern (38th min, Bayern 0-1 Inter)
INTER ARE AHEAD, AND WHAT A GOAL 🤧
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 8, 2025
Beautiful build up play finds Thuram who brilliantly back-heels into the path of Lautaro Martinez, and his outside of the foot finish finds the back of the net ⚽️
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/ZU0IuJwdQ0
A slick Inter move sees the skipper Martinez put the visitors ahead in Bavaria, as Carlos Augusto's cross is deftly flicked back by Marcus Thuram, allowing the Argentine to run on and beat Urbig in the Bayern goal, with a swift VAR check confirming there was no offside in the build-up.
Muller goal vs. Inter (85th min, Bayern 1-1 Inter)
"OF COURSE IT'S THOMAS MULLER" 🤩
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 8, 2025
Muller rises off the bench to tap home at the back post for Bayern to level the tie - on the week he announced he's leaving the club at the end of the season! Written in the stars ✨
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/iMze0fNLeJ
Finally the pressure has paid off as a rare mistake at the back from Inter allows Muller in unmarked, six yards out, to tap home the equaliser from Konrad Laimer's cross. Game on!
Frattesi goal vs. Bayern (88th min, Bayern 1-2 Inter)
INTER RETAKE THE LEAD 🤯
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 8, 2025
And just like that, Inter are back ahead, and it's Frattesi who bundles home Augusto's drilled cross! 💥
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/10uAFCD1y0
What drama at the Allianz! Just as it appeared Bayern were set to push for a winner, they have been dealt a suckerpunch, as Barella's through ball sets Augusto away, and Frattesi does excellently to divert the left wing-back's fizzed cross beyond Urbig in the Bayern goal.
MAN OF THE MATCH - CARLOS AUGUSTO
© Imago
One piece of Inter's five-man backline, Augusto has done brilliant standing in for the unfit Federico Dimarco once more, suggesting he also up there as one of the best left-sided defenders in Europe.
The Brazilian had plenty of responsible in keeping Michael Olise quiet, but also had a huge hand in both goals, putting in the accurate crosses that led to both goals, ultimately handing Inter the advantage going into the second leg.
BAYERN VS. INTER MATCH STATS
Possession: Bayern 58%-42% Inter
Shots: Bayern 20-10 Inter
Shots on target: Bayern 7-4 Inter
Corners: Bayern 5-1 Inter
Fouls: Bayern 9-9 Inter
BEST STATS
7 - Lautaro #Martínez is the first #Inter player with seven UEFA #ChampionsLeague goals in a season since Samuel Eto'o in 2010-11 (8). Striker.#BayernMunichInter
— OptaPaolo (@OptaPaolo) April 8, 2025
WHAT NEXT?
Bayern will have limited time to prepare for Der Klassiker against Borussia Dortmund at the weekend, before the return leg at San Siro next Wednesday, while Inter have a more favourable fixture at home to Cagliari in Serie A.
Andrew Delaney
