Inter Milan extinguished Hansi Flick’s treble aspirations, securing a spot in the Champions League final in Munich after a thrilling encounter against his FC Barcelona side. A week after a captivating 3-3 draw in the first leg, the Italian champions triumphed 4-3 after extra time in the return fixture against a Barcelona team coached by the former German national team manager. Davide Frattesi’s 99th-minute goal proved decisive in another unforgettable European night.
Lautaro Martinez (21st minute), former Bundesliga player Hakan Calhanoglu from the penalty spot (45+1), and Francesco Acerbi (90+3) were on target for Inter during regulation time. The Nerazzurri, as in 2023, are bound for the Champions League final. Eric Garcia (54th), former RB Leipzig player Dani Olmo (60th), and Raphinha (87th) had temporarily turned the match around in a game laden with twists and turns.
Two years ago, Inter succumbed to Manchester City in the final. This time, they will face either Paris Saint-Germain or Arsenal on May 31st. Notably, Inter eliminated FC Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals.
While Flick still has the opportunity to secure the Spanish league title after already claiming the Spanish Cup with Barça, his dream of emulating his 2020 treble-winning feat with Bayern Munich is over, at least for this season.
Following the high-octane affair in Barcelona a week prior, both teams approached the match with a more measured approach initially. However, around the 20-minute mark, Inter’s star Martinez ignited the atmosphere at the historic Giuseppe Meazza Stadium. The Argentine World Cup winner’s participation had been uncertain after an injury forced him off in the first leg.
A strong tackle by Federico Dimarco in midfield initiated a swift Inter attack. Denzel Dumfries played a square ball on the edge of the box, and Martinez, Inter’s captain and inspirational figure, clinically finished to give his side the lead.
Barcelona attempted to respond swiftly, but their attacking forays lacked the precision required to break down Inter’s defensive setup. Young prodigy Lamine Yamal occasionally embarked on his trademark dribbling runs but found Inter’s defense a tougher nut to crack than in the previous week.
Shortly before halftime, Barcelona suffered another blow. After initially squandering a golden opportunity in the 41st minute, former Hamburger and Leverkusen player Calhanoglu converted from the penalty spot to double Inter’s advantage. Pau Cubarsi had fouled Martinez inside the penalty area, and after reviewing the incident on the pitch-side monitor, referee Szymon Marciniak pointed to the spot, much to Flick’s chagrin.
The second half witnessed relentless action from both sides. Eric Garcia scored a direct shot, to pull one goal back for Barcelona. The game became end-to-end. Yann Sommer, Inter’s goalkeeper, denied Garcia with a world-class save (57th minute), before Olmo’s headed goal leveled the scores for Barcelona.
With just over 20 minutes remaining, referee Marciniak initially awarded Barcelona a penalty after Mkhitaryan fouled Yamal, but the decision was overturned to a free-kick after reviewing the video. The closing stages of the game were filled with drama. Raphinha scored on the follow-up to make it 3-2 to the Spaniards, Yamal then struck the post (90+3), and Acerbi sensationally equalized to level the score at 3-3 in the last moments of regulation time.
In extra time, Barcelona hoped that the introduction of their star striker, Robert Lewandowski, who had recently recovered from an injury, would provide a decisive spark. However, Inter’s substitute proved more impactful. Frattesi’s low shot found the back of the net to make it 4-3, and despite Barcelona’s desperate attempts, they could not find another goal, thereby ending Flick’s hopes of winning the treble.
The match was a tactical battle with periods of intense pressing from both sides. Inter adopted a more direct approach, focusing on counter-attacks, while Barcelona sought to control possession and build attacks patiently. Martinez’s early goal forced Barcelona to take more risks, exposing them to Inter’s counter-attacking threat.
Calhanoglu’s penalty gave Inter a crucial cushion, but Barcelona showed remarkable resilience in the second half to claw their way back into the game. Olmo’s equalizer shifted the momentum in Barcelona’s favor, and Raphinha’s goal seemed to have sealed the victory. However, Acerbi’s late equalizer demonstrated Inter’s never-say-die attitude.
Frattesi’s winner in extra time was a testament to Inter’s squad depth and their ability to make decisive changes. The victory was a significant achievement for Inter, who have been striving to re-establish themselves as a major force in European football.
For Flick, the defeat was a bitter pill to swallow. He had taken over Barcelona midway through the season and had made significant improvements to the team. However, his side were unable to overcome Inter’s resilience and tactical nous. While the Champions League dream is over for this season, Flick will undoubtedly be determined to lead Barcelona to further success in the future, starting with securing La Liga title. This high-profile defeat will also fuel the discussions surrounding his tactical decisions and his overall influence on the team’s playing style. The pressure will undoubtedly be on for Flick to deliver silverware in the coming season to justify his appointment and prove his ability to compete at the highest level of European football.
