Inter Milan vs Barcelona: Three Key Takeaways From the Champions League Decider Semi-Final

Inter Milan secured a dramatic 4-3 victory over Barcelona in the Champions League semi-final second leg at San Siro. The match was close to end after the official 90 minutes with Barcelona leading by a 2-3 margin. However, they couldn’t hold onto the lead. And Inter took advantage of it perfectly.

They scored their third goal of the day in the dying moments into the injury time. Then they scored their fourth into the extra time, clinching a 7-6 aggregate win. The match was a rollercoaster of emotions, featuring comebacks, late goals, and standout performances. Here are three key takeaways from this unforgettable encounter.

1. Inter’s Resilience Shines in Extra Time

Inter Milan demonstrated remarkable resilience to overcome Barcelona in a match that swung back and forth.  They took a 2-0 lead through goals from Lautaro Martínez and Hakan Calhanoglu in the first half of the match. However, that didn’t last long in the second half as Barcelona equalised by the 60th minute. 

Then, Inter found themselves trailing by a 3-2 margin following a spirited Barcelona comeback with goals from Eric Garcia, Dani Olmo, and Raphinha.  However, Francesco Acerbi’s stoppage-time equalizer forced extra time, where Davide Frattesi scored the decisive goal, propelling the Nerazzurri to the final.

Also Read: Raphinha Reveals He Nearly Played for Italy at Euro 2020

2. Lamine Yamal’s Brilliance and Misfortune

It was another night of absolute masterclass from Barcelona’s 17-year-old sensation, Lamine Yamal. The youngster showcased his immense talent, causing constant problems for Inter’s defense. Since the first minute of the game, he managed to cut through Inter’s defense like a hot knife on butter. 

His agility and creativity were on full display, and he nearly secured victory for Barcelona with a shot that struck the post in the dying moments of regular time. Even so, it must be said that he still needs a lot of work on his finishing which would help the team in the coming years. Poor finishing from Yamal saw that his brilliance wasn’t enough to change the outcome. 

Also Read: Lamine Yamal Champions League Achievements Before Turning 18 Are Phenomenal

3. Yann Sommer’s Heroics Between the Posts

Along with Lamine Yamal, Inter’s goalkeeper, Yann Sommer, delivered a masterclass under the bar in the match. He made several crucial saves throughout the match to keep his team in the game. Barca dominated for big parts of the game and if it wasn’t for Sommer, the Catalan side could’ve gone away with the spoils of the war. 

His performance was especially instrumental in extra time. He denied Barcelona’s attempts again and again to find an equalizer. Ultimately, his last minute constant effort saw Inter move forward with a 4-3 win. Sommer’s heroics earned him the player of the match accolade as he proved pivotal in Inter’s progression to the final.

Inter Milan now advances to the Champions League final in Munich. In the final, they will face the winner of the PSG vs Arsenal semi-final set to be held on May 7. As for Barcelona, despite a valiant effort and moments of brilliance, their European campaign ends in heartbreak.