Inter Milan 2-2 Bayern Munich (Inter Milan win 4-3 agg): What Were The Key Talking Points As The Nerazzurri Punch Their Champions League Semi-Final Spot?

Inter Milan officially punched their Champions League semi-final ticket on Wednesday night as they edged past Bayern Munich thanks to what was a thrilling 4-3 aggregate victory.

Landing a shock 2-1 win when they travelled to the Allianz for their first-leg showdown last week, Simone Inzaghi’s men were sitting pretty ahead of Wednesday’s returning to Milan.

However, watching England international Harry Kane silence the home just seven minutes after returning from the interval, all signs were pointing to a grandstand finish at the San Siro.

Although Bayern might have briefly dragged themselves level, Milan quickly restablished their advantage as the duo of Lautaro Martinez and Benjamin Pavard notched a brace in the space of just three minutes.

Although former Tottenham defender Eric Dier might have headed home in the final 15 minutes, Inzaghi’s camp overcome some serious late pressure and dragged themselves to yet another Champions League semi-final.

Finding a way to overcome every hurdle that has been placed in their patch, the Italian icons will be planning for a mouth-watering final four showdown against Barcelona later in the month.

In what was another action-packed night of Champions League drama, we have taken a look at the key talking points from the San Siro.

Inter shouldn’t be overlooked

While Inter Milan might have collected a heavyweight European scalp on Wednesday night, it is fair to say that plenty of the final four attention has fallen elsewhere.

Watching Arsenal storm past now-former champions Real Madrid and with PSG transforming into a legitimate title contender, it almost feels that Inzaghi’s men are somewhat flying under the radar heading into the final four.

However, laying down their own respective marker in Munich last week as they eventually left the Allianz with a first-leg advantage to show for their troubles, Inter shouldn’t be overlooked by any measure.

Still leading the chase at the top of the Serie A standings and sat in pole position to make even more domestic history, the former Lazio boss has also seen his squad gain a fearsome reputation for their continued dominance at the San Siro.

In fact, Inter have not suffered a single Champions League defeat on home soil from any of their previous 15 consecutive appearances – a run that stems all the way back to September 2022.

Bundesliga success will have to be enough for Bayern

While many around the Allianz might have been shocked last summer following Vincent Kompany’s arrival in Munich, Bayern have enjoyed an eye-catching rise under the former Burnley boss.

Although Wednesday’s guests might have suffered European heartbreak here as they missed out on the chance to complete what would have been a famous turnaround on foreign soil, Bayern don’t have time to feel sorry for themselves.

Asking Inter a string of questions at the San Siro and really throwing everything at the Nerazzurri late on, Kompany’s full attention will now turn back to guiding Bayern to domestic success.

While the Bavarians might have struggled to find much fluidity on either side of March’s international break, they do hold a commanding six-point buffer over reigning German champions Bayer Leverkusen.

Needing to find a way to take the positives away from an eye-catching performance here, Bayern will look to take another giant leap towards a 34th Bundesliga crown when they travel to Heidenheim on Sunday afternoon.

A heavyweight showdown against Barcelona awaits

While Inter Milan might have collected a heavyweight European scalp on Wednesday night, Inzaghi’s camp will be more than aware that the pressure will only intensify later in the month.

Although Barcelona might have eventually fallen to a second-leg 3-1 defeat when they travelled to Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday, the Spanish high-flyers have only continued to receive a string of public plaudits.

Leading the chase at the top of the La Liga table and holding a four-point buffer over arch-rivals Real Madrid, Barca have their sights set on completing an iconic silverware sweep in 2025.

Facing what will be a stern examination when they travel to Catalonia for their first-leg meeting on April 30th, Inter should also be concerned by a downbeat European record against their semi-final opponents.

Playing out a remarkable 3-3 stalemate when they last travelled to Spain back in October 2022, they have clinched just a single win from any of their previous seven Champions League meetings.

Match Report

Inter Milan: Sommer, Panard, Acerbi, Bastoni, Darmian, Dimarco, Mkhitaryan, Barella, Calhanoglu, Thuram, Martinez

Subs: Augusto, Bisseck, Taremi, Frattesi

Bayern Munich: Urban, Laimer, Dier, Kim, Stanisic, Goretzka, Kimmich, Olise, Muller, Sane, Kane

Subs: Pavlovic, Guerreiro, Gnabry, Coman

Goals: Inter Milan: Martinez (58’), Pavard (61’) – Bayern Munich: Kane (52’), Dier (76’)

Yellow Cards: Inter Milan: Arnautovic (Not on pitch), Dimarco (Not on pitch) – Bayern Munich: Dier, Kim

Red Cards: N/A

Referee: Slavko Vinčić