Inter are through to their second UEFA Champions League final in three years as Davide Frattesi’s curling extra-time strike settled one of the most extraordinary knockout ties in the tournament’s history, the Nerazzurri winning 4-3 after extra time on the night, 7-6 on aggregate.
Following last week’s pulsating 3-3 draw in Catalonia expectations were high for another thriller. But nobody could have predicted the remarkable twists and turns that were to come in a game which somehow managed to surpass even that dramatic first leg.
The match came to life in the 21st minute, with Federico Dimarco winning the ball high up the pitch for Inter and stabbing it through to Denzel Dumfries, who unselfishly squared for Lautaro Martínez to tuck home into an empty net for his eighth goal in his last seven Champions League matches.
On the stroke of half-time the hosts doubled their advantage when Pau Cubarsí tripped Martínez in the box and Hakan Çalhanoğlu coolly sent Wojciech Szczęsny the wrong way with his penalty to leave the Nerazzurri seemingly within touching distance of Munich.
Just as in the first leg, though, Barça mounted a spectacular comeback. First right-back Eric García got the ball rolling with a tremendous volley from Gerard Martín’s cross to offer the visitors hope. The same player should then have scored again just moments later, but Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer spectacularly denied him from close range.
Three minutes later, though, the visitors did find an equaliser for the third time in this tie, with Dani Olmo’s bullet header from another pinpoint Martín ball levelling at 5-5 on aggregate.
Both teams missed chances to gain the advantage, before it looked as though Raphinha would be the match-winner, the Barça forward slotting into the bottom corner for his 13th goal of the campaign to put his side ahead in the tie for the first time.
But just when it looked as though that would be the end of the drama, Inter veteran Francesco Acerbi popped up to guide the ball into the roof of the net to send the San Siro delirious and force extra time.
Neither team were willing to settle for penalties after such a titanic duel, and it was Inter who went back ahead in the 100th minute as Davide Frattesi kept his cool amid the chaos to curl his side into a 7-6 aggregate lead.
Still Barça refused to give in, and Sommer produced perhaps the best of his many saves across the two legs to stretch full length and tip Yamal’s bending effort wide.
Simone Inzaghi’s side defended with their backs to the wall in the closing stages, and there was an outpouring of emotion and joy as the final whistle blew on this epic encounter, with the hosts booking their place in the Munich final on 31 May.
Reaction
Yann Sommer, Inter goalkeeper: “I’m very happy, we played an incredible match. Which save will I remember? The last one on Lamine Yamal; he is a great player and fortunately it didn’t go in. Many teams would have given up after going down 3-2 but we didn’t, and managed to come back.”
Davide Frattesi, Inter goalscorer: “What happened? I don’t know! I celebrated so loudly that my head was spinning. I thought I would never experience anything like this again in terms of emotions. But that’s the beauty of football. It’s part of my career; I’ve always been the first to believe and the last to give up.”
Federico Dimarco, Inter wing-back: “We went up and then down, and we recovered an incredible game. It was a great night. We were always a team throughout the whole game, always staying on top of things in the many moments of the match – even the most difficult ones. There is nothing like the San Siro. Inzaghi is our leader; he shows us the way.”
Simone Inzaghi, Inter coach: “It took a super Inter: a round of applause for these guys, who put in two monstrous performances. I’m happy to be their coach; they gave me everything they had. It’s right that they enjoy their success in this stadium. We had some problems but, with heart, we went over every obstacle. After the first leg, we had the game plan in mind, but without the sacrifice and the help of all of us together, you can’t do it.”
Hansi Flick, Barcelona coach: “I’m very disappointed that we’re out – but I’m not disappointed about the performance of my team. They tried everything. We’re out, but next year we’ll start again and we’ll make our fans, the club and everyone around us happy.”
