Bayern Munich exit UEFA Champions League at the hands of clinical Inter Milan
Goals from English duo Harry Kane and Eric Dier made for nail-biting drama in a 2-2 draw against Inter at the San Siro, but Bayern Munich were ultimately knocked out 4-3 on aggregate.
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Inter 2-2 Bayern (4-3 agg.) Goals: 0-1 Kane 52', 1-1 Martínez 58', 2-1 Pavard 61', 2-2 Dier 76'
With Inter boasting a narrow advantage from the first leg, and with Bayern missing a host of key men including Jamal Musiala, this fixture always had the potential to frustrate.
And so it began, with Inter happy to sit deep and soak up pressure, inviting their guests onto them, before looking to hit them on the break. Hakan Çalhanoğlu blazed one dangerous effort just high and wide after the half-hour mark, having found time and space to shoot from the edge of the area.
Bayern had to carefully balance risk and reward but almost found a breakthrough in the 36th minute, when Konrad Laimer’s ball cut across the area found Thomas Müller with space to chest down and shoot. Yann Sommer parried, but only as far as Leroy Sané, whose effort was also blocked from close range. Bayern went in at the break with more possession and shots, but also with a feeling that their hosts were satisfied with a job half done.
Marcus Thuram was denied a penalty at the start of the second half, after storming into the Bayern area and being brought down by Laimer. Replays showed the defender got a foot on the ball just in time, however.
While Inter looked the more comfortable of the two sides after the break, it was Bayern that struck first. The high press won the ball inside the Italian’s half in the 52nd minute and it was fed to Harry Kane on the right of Inter’s box. The Englishman had time and space to shift his feet and arrow an effort inside the far post to draw the tie level on aggregate. Inter struck back just minutes later, however, Lautaro Martínez lashing home from close range after his own header from a corner was blocked.
Another set piece goal followed moments later and, again, it was Inter. This time former Bayern man Benjamin Pavard sent a pinpoint header beyond Jonas Ubrig to send the home stands into raptures.
A 76th-minute header from Eric Dier levelled the scores on the night but left Bayern desperately needing one final goal to send the tie to extra time. Try as they did, they just couldn’t find a way through, and the San Siro erupted at the final whistle. Bayern are out, while their conquerors go on to face Barcelona in the final four.
Match stats
Bayern were finally defeated after winning their previous four two-legged ties against Italians.
The Bundesliga giants still have a historical edge over Inter, with five wins, a draw and a defeat from their 11 meetings to date.
Müller extended his record to 25 appearances in the quarter-finals, two more than both Manuel Neuer and Lionel Messi.
Inter will play Barcelona in the semi-finals.
Kane has now scored 11 goals in the competition this season, the most by an English player in a single campaign.
Pavard’s header was his first-ever goal for Inter Milan, in any competition.
Teams
Inter: Sommer - Pavard, Acerbi, Bastoni (Bisseck 87')- Darmian, Barella (Frattesi 88'), Çalhanoğlu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco (Augusto 73') - L. Martínez (c) (Taremi 81'), Thuram Unused subs: Di Gennaro, J. Martínez, De Vrij, Arnautović, Asllani, Behrenbruch, Cocchi, Zalewski Out: Carboni (knee), Correa (not registered), Dumfries (muscular), Zieliński (calf) Coach: Simone Inzaghi
Bayern: Urbig - Laimer (Coman 84'), Dier, Kim (Guerreiro 65'), Stanišić - Kimmich, Goretzka (Pavlović 83') - Olise, Müller (c), Sané (Gnabry 65') - Kane Unused subs: Peretz, Klanac, Palhinha, Boey, Vidović, Kusi-Asare, Karl Out: Buchmann (shoulder), Davies (knee), Ito (foot), Musiala (hamstring), Neuer (calf), Upamecano (knee) Coach: Vincent Kompany
As it happened!
2 - 2
(0 - 0)
Inter
FINAL
Bayern
Champions League Quarter-final, second leg Quarter-final, second leg San Siro, Milan
Full-time: Inter 2-2 Bayern
That Coman chance was Bayern's last opportunity. Inter hold on in an enthralling tie. The game really kicked into life in the second half. Kane gave Bayern hope before Inter responded twice to seemingly end the tie. Dier then gave Bayern renewed hope but they just couldn't find the third goal they needed. Bayern won't be making it to their home Champions League final.
And that is that! A cross from the right lands at the feet of Coman but he can only fire over and that will be that.
90'
+ 5
So close!
Müller nearly makes himself the hero but his header doesn't have enough power to beat Sommer.
90'
+ 3
Inter hanging on
It is all Bayern now. Inter can't get out of their half.
90'
+ 1
Six minutes added on
Still time for the visitors here.
90'
+ 1
Kane with the effort
Bayern are piling on the pressure now. First, Gnabry beats his man and puts in a cross that is cleared. Then Kane gets on a loose ball after there's chaos in the penalty area but he can't keep his effort down.
88'
Changes slowing the game
A multitude of changes in the last few minutes has really slowed the momentum of this one.
Darmian becomes the latest to go close for the hosts as they push for another.
A quickfire double!
Inter lead on the night and now look comfortable in the tie too and it's from another corner. This time, the ball comes in with pace and former Bayern man Pavard is there to head home.
Darmian thinks he is going to make it 2-1 but Dier recovers brilliantly to clear it over the bar.
Inter are level on the night
Lautaro Martínez scores the equaliser and it comes from another short corner. The ball comes into the box and Bayern fail to clear, leading to Martínez being able to poke the ball home.
That's a real opportunity for 2-0. Bayern flood forward with numbers before Olise lays the ball across to Müller on the back post but he gets his shot all wrong and fires over.
53'
Almost an immediate response
Thuram gets the better of Dier and the Bayern defence again as he works himself space to shoot. The shot is straight at Urbig though.
Bayern have the goal they need!
A cross comes in from the left that is only cleared as far as Goretzka. He feeds Kane, who toys with Dimarco before firing through his legs for the opener. Bayern are level on aggregate.
Inter play a corner short. Dimarco then whips in a shot/cross that is flicked on towards goal and Urbig has to be alert to tip it away.
48'
Inter want a penalty
Thuram rolls Dier again and gets in behind him. Laimer catches up and makes the challenge. Inter want a penalty, but the referee says play on.
46'
Back underway
Inter get the second half started. Bayern need at least one goal.
Kick-off!
Half-time: Inter 0-0 Bayern
Level at the break. Both sides have been trying to find a way to goal but so far, a defender has always been in the way when needed. Inter have come the closest through Acerbi but his shot drifted wide. Bayern are still very much in this tie.
Inter pop off a series of one-twos inside the Bayern penalty area but the final pass to Thuram is just too long and the ball goes out for a goal kick.
39'
Another chance
Bayern come forward again down the right. The cross comes in towards Kane, he can't make a clean connection but Sané is there at the back post. He hits it on the half-volley but it is simple for Sommer.
36'
So close!
Laimer gets in behind down the right before firing a cross back to Müller but his shot is immediately charged down. The rebound comes to Sané but he too can't get a clean shot away.
32'
Great effort!
Çalhanoğlu becomes the latest Inter player to narrowly miss as he attempts to whip a shot into the far corner. It really wasn't far away either.
29'
Inches away!
Dimarco sends the free-kick into the box and it is flicked on by Acerbi, but his volley goes just wide of the right post.
28'
First card of the night
Kim slides in late on Thuram and picks up a yellow for his action.
There have been a couple of mistakes in this game from the defenders and that will give both strikers confidence.
18'
Lovely skill
L. Martínez picks up the ball on halfway and then turns the Bayern midfield inside out. First, he nutmegs Kimmich and then he skips between Kimmich and Goretzka to set Dimarco free on the left. Wonderful!
16'
Inter having a spell of possession
After Bayern's initial dominance of the ball, Inter have managed to string together a few passes of their own in the last few minutes.
Frantic start
Bayern have started this game well but Inter remain dangerous on the counter. It's been an entertaining game so far.
Müller chips a delightful ball over the top to Olise but he can't quite sort his feet out in time to shoot and Bastoni makes an excellent recovery challenge. That was a real chance!
9'
Inter threaten on the counter
Thuram battles his way past Dier before finding the onrushing Dimarco. He strikes it well from the edge of the box but Urbig holds on.
6'
Müller has a go
Bayern work the ball forward well before Olise feeds Müller. He swivels and shoots but it is comfortable for Sommer.
4'
Barella down with a knock
In the process of taking that shot, Olise stepped on Barella's ankle and now he needs treatment. That would be a big loss for the hosts if he can't continue.
3'
Good intent from both sides
Both sides with shots early on. Firstly Inter work the ball forward well, ending with a blocked shot from Mkhitaryan. Then Bayern go up the other end and Olise has his shot blocked by Pavard.
1'
We're underway
Huge night to follow.
Kick-off!
Players on the pitch
Just moments from kick-off now on this massive night!
History to repeat itself?
The last time these two sides met in Milan, Bayern won 2-0. That would be enough to see them through tonight.
Serie A leaders Inter make a multitude of changes from their 3-1 win over Cagliari at the weekend as a number of rested first team regulars come back into the squad. That includes the likes of former Gladbach player, Marcus Thuram and ex-Bayern man, Benjamin Pavard. Perhaps the biggest news, though, is that Federico Dimarco comes back into the starting XI at left-wing back in place of Augusto.
It's largely as expected from Bayern, with Müller starting in attacking midfield in the Musiala role, rather than Guerreiro, who began there in the first leg. The versatile Portuguese was a widely thought to be favourite to begin at left-back though; instead it's Stanišić who gets the nod from Kompany.
Sané has been in fine form this season and his dribbles, body swerves, goals and assists could prove decisive against Inter. Take a closer look at just what the Germany international can do...
Last ones standing
Following Dortmund's departure from the competition on Tuesday evening at the hands of Barcelona, Bayern are now the only remaining Bundesliga team in this season's Champions League. Despite Dortmund's expulsion, BVB put in a terrific performance on the night in an attempt to overturn a four-goal aggregate deficit, becoming the first team to have beaten Barcelona in 2025 as they ran out 3-1 winners. Vincent Kompany may hope to take inspiration from Bayern's Klassiker rivals if they're to follow suit and mount a comeback against Inter.
"I'd be more worried if we weren't creating as many chances. The goalkeepers have also had very good games in the last couple of matches. We want to be more clinical and take the opportunities we have.”
“We have to win one match, that's our normal task. You have to do your job, in defence and attack. It's about a balance between courage and control. We understand what's required in this match. The belief is there, at the end of the day we just need to win one match. We always play to win. Hopefully we can experience a very special night, also for our fans."
"They're a very good team, both offensively and defensively," said the Bayern forward, joining his coach in addressing the press pre-game. "They caused us problems on the counter especially. You play against the best teams in Europe in the quarter-finals of the Champions League. We expect another tough game. I've played in a lot of quarter-finals in different competitions and always tried to lead by example and be a role model. There's a lot of experience in the team and we want to show what we can do in these games. We need the right mentality.”
"Everything plays a role, the qualities of the opposition, our qualities," said Kompany at his pre-match press conference on Tuesday after arriving in Italy. "It's not just about the first few minutes. It can last 90 or 120 minutes. These are two teams with a lot of experience, in Europe as well. Every player knows what's at stake."
Germany legend Jürgen Klinsmann - who played for both Bayern Munich and Inter, as well as coaching Bayern - gives his thoughts on the UEFA Champions League return leg in Milan, the inimitable Thomas Müller, Der Klassiker and England captain Harry Kane.
2:38
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Danger man
Inter captain Lautaro Martínez, who scored the winner in the first leg, counts five goals in his last eight Inter matches, but the threat from former Werder Bremen centre-forward Arnautović - with four goals in his last five Serie A matches - is also set to test Kompany's injury-hit back-line.
Two Inter players in particular will be familiar to Bayern and Bundesliga fans: France defender Benjamin Pavard, who won everything with the club between 2019 and 2923, and Switzerland keeper Yann Sommer, who lifted the Bundesliga Meisterschale with Bayern in 2023 after almost a decade with Borussia Mönchengladbach.
Inter boss Simone Inzaghi has his own injury issues to address, with right-flank danger man Denzel Dumfries missing (thigh), Iran striker Mehdi Taremi (thigh) looking for match fitness and Piotr Zieliński unavailable (calf).
France forward Kingsley Coman returned to action with a substitute appearance in the Klassiker after missing four matches with a foot issue, while Germany defensive midfielder Aleksandar Pavlović, who has bounced back from glandular fever, made his first appearance since 23 February.
Just as well Bayern boss Vincent Kompany has a talent-stacked squad - with the recent spate of injuries to first-team regulars, the Belgian needs more-than-credible solutions for this tough transalpine assignment: Jamal Musiala is still out with a hamstring issue, likely to be replaced in the playmaker's role by Thomas Müller, while injuries to defenders Hiroki Ito (toe), Alphonso Davies (knee) and Dayot Upamecano (knee) mean that Eric Dier could well be handed a start alongside Kim Minjae with right-back Josip Stanišić switching flanks. Meanwhile Youngster Jonas Urbig should continue to deputise for Manuel Neuer, out since early March with a calf issue.
Inter Milan have progressed 21 out of 23 times after a first-leg victory in the European Champion Clubs' Cup or the Champions League. By contrast, Munich have crashed out on seven of the eight occasions that saw them fall behind in the first leg.
Bayern's blistering form away to Inter
FC Bayern may be looking to overturn a deficit, but the Bavarians can look to some scintillating historical form away top Inter. Indeed, Bayern have won four of their four European away matches against Inter Milan, including all three Champions League games. In doing so, the German record champions did not concede a single goal. The Italians have not lost as many consecutive European home matches to any other opponent.
"We just have to win one game. We should go into the game with that mindset," said captain Joshua Kimmich after the first leg. "It's not like we need a miracle."
Bayern Munich have been put through their paces at their Säbener Straße headquarters one last time before the team heads to Milan. Vincent Kompany and Harry Kane will give the team's pre-match press conference at the San Siro from 7.15pm CET later.
“Personally, I congratulated my team for two minutes after the last result. We have to move forward, knowing that matches are always open. The team looked proud to me Munich. They knew that they were up against a very strong group. We’ll have to play a great match in the second leg, because that’s the only way to move forward.”
Michael Olise has hit the ground running in his first season at the Allianz Arena, and is already considered one of Bayern's most reliable attacking players. Can he be the difference against Inter?
Revenge on the cards?
A reminder that this pairing is a repeat of the 2010 Champions League Final, which ended in defeat for Bayern. Jose Mourinho's Inter triumphed 2-0, thanks to a brace from Argentine striker Diego Milito. The latest clash sees the Bundesliga giants a goal down from the first leg. A tough task awaits.
The Serie A leaders Inter consolidated top spot in the domestic standings on Saturday with a 3-1 home win over Cagliari. Head coach Simeone Inzaghi heavily rotated his squad, with just five of the XI that started the last game in Munich – including goalkeeper Yann Sommer – retaining their places for their domestic assignment. The result extended the team's unbeaten sequence to 12 games in all competitions.
After the 2-1 defeat in the first leg, FC Bayern must win the return leg by any means necessary if they are to progress. A one-goal win would mean extra time, regardless of how many goals are scored. A two-goal difference would mean Munich would advance directly. A draw or a defeat would mean elimination.
Bayern's last game saw take on old foes Dortmund in a Bundesliga Klassiker, and what a game it was – featuring four goals, nail-biting drama and a man-of-the-match display from Thomas Müller.
And then there were three
From seven clubs in September, only three German teams remain in Europe this season. Find out how all the Bundesliga’s representatives have got on across the three continental competitions here.
Thanks for joining us for build-up and live coverage of the second leg of Bayern Munich's quarter-final tie against Inter Milan in the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League, being played at the San Siro on Wednesday.
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First-leg report
Bayern 1–2 Inter Milan Goals: 0-1 Martínez 38' (assist: Thuram), 1-1 Müller 85' (assist: Laimer), 1-2 Frattesi 88' (assist: Augusto)
Kompany's side were left rueing missed early chances, as Martínez’s finish from the edge of the area opened the scoring. Müller then tapped home a Laimer cross at the far post to draw his side level. Yet a late Inter counter-attack ended with Carlos Augusto squaring for Davide Frattesi to slam home into an empty net and give the Italian side a narrow advantage.