Inter Milan 4-3 Barcelona: A Champions League Semifinal Epic Secures Inter’s Final Berth
May 7, 2025
In a match that will be remembered as one of the greatest in UEFA Champions League history, Inter Milan outlasted Barcelona in a 4-3 extra-time thriller at the San Siro on May 6, 2025, clinching a 7-6 aggregate victory to reach the 2025 Champions League final. From early dominance to late drama, this semifinal second leg had it all—stunning goals, tactical chess, and individual heroics. Here’s our in-depth analysis of how Inter triumphed, the key moments, and what it means for both teams moving forward.
Match Context: A High-Stakes Showdown
The stage was set for a blockbuster at the iconic San Siro. After a pulsating 3-3 draw in the first leg on April 30, 2025, at Barcelona’s Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, the tie was finely poised. Inter Milan, the 2010 champions, were chasing their fourth Champions League title and leaned on their unbeaten home record in 15 UCL matches. Barcelona, under Hansi Flick, were dreaming of a treble after their Copa del Rey triumph and a four-point lead in La Liga, but injuries to Robert Lewandowski, Alejandro Balde, and Jules Koundé tested their depth.
Both teams made strategic choices. Inter’s Simone Inzaghi fielded a 3-5-2, with Lautaro Martínez defying a hamstring issue to partner Marcus Thuram up top. Barcelona, with Wojciech Szczęsny in goal over a returning Marc-André ter Stegen, opted for a 4-2-3-1, relying on Lamine Yamal and Raphinha to spark their attack. The scene was set for a clash of titans.
Tactical Analysis: Set Pieces and Counters Define the Night
Inter’s Game Plan: Inzaghi’s Inter combined high pressing with clinical counter-attacks, exploiting Barcelona’s high defensive line. Their 3-5-2 allowed wing-backs Denzel Dumfries and Federico Dimarco to stretch the pitch, while the midfield trio of Nicolò Barella, Hakan Çalhanoğlu, and Henrikh Mkhitaryan provided balance. Set pieces were a weapon, with Inter scoring three of their four goals from direct play or dead-ball situations.
Barcelona’s Approach: Flick’s side aimed to dominate possession and use their wingers’ pace to unsettle Inter’s three-man defense. However, their depleted backline—featuring Eric García, Pau Cubarsí, and Gerard Martín—struggled against Inter’s physicality and set-piece prowess. Substitutions like Gavi and Ronald Araujo in the second half added energy, but defensive lapses proved costly.
Key Tactical Moments
- First Half (Inter 2-0): Inter’s early pressure paid off with Martínez’s 21st-minute counter-attack goal, assisted by Dumfries. A controversial penalty for a handball on Cubarsí allowed Çalhanoğlu to double the lead before halftime, exposing Barça’s vulnerability to set pieces.
- Second Half (Barcelona Fightback): Flick’s adjustments saw Barça press higher, with Eric García’s 54th-minute header and Dani Olmo’s 60th-minute strike leveling the score at 2-2. Raphinha’s 87th-minute rocket gave Barça a 3-2 lead, capitalizing on Inter’s tiring midfield.
- Late Drama: Francesco Acerbi’s 90+3rd-minute header from a corner forced extra time, and substitute Davide Frattesi’s 99th-minute close-range finish sealed Inter’s victory.
Inter’s set-piece dominance (14 goals from corners this season) and ability to capitalize on transitions were decisive, while Barcelona’s high line, criticized by analysts, left them exposed to Inter’s pace.
Key Performances: Heroes and Heartbreak
Inter Milan:
- Davide Frattesi (9/10): The substitute’s extra-time winner was a career-defining moment, earning him universal praise despite recent fitness struggles.
- Yann Sommer (8.5/10): Two world-class saves against Lamine Yamal kept Inter in the game, cementing his status as a clutch performer.
- Lautaro Martínez (8/10): The captain’s goal and relentless work rate, despite injury concerns, inspired his team.
- Denzel Dumfries (8/10): A constant threat on the right, his assist for Martínez set the tone early.
Barcelona:
- Lamine Yamal (9/10): The 17-year-old phenom was electric, hitting the woodwork twice and driving Barça’s comeback. His performance drew comparisons to Lionel Messi, with Inzaghi calling him a “once-in-50-years talent.”
- Raphinha (8.5/10): His stunning 87th-minute goal showcased his Ballon d’Or-caliber form, with 12 Champions League goals this season.
- Eric García & Dani Olmo (7.5/10): Both scored crucial goals, but defensive errors marred their efforts.
- Wojciech Szczęsny (6/10): Struggled with Inter’s set pieces, conceding four goals.
Underperformers: Barcelona’s makeshift defense crumbled under pressure, while Inter’s Federico Dimarco was quieter than usual on the left.
Match Statistics: A Tale of Efficiency
- Expected Goals (xG): Inter 2.28 vs. Barcelona 2.74, showing a tight contest despite Barça’s higher shot volume.
- Possession: Barcelona 58% vs. Inter 42%, but Inter’s clinical finishing trumped Barça’s control.
- Shots: Barcelona 18 (7 on target) vs. Inter 12 (6 on target).
- Set Pieces: Inter’s three goals from set pieces or direct play highlighted their aerial dominance.
- Saves: Sommer’s five saves outshone Szczęsny’s three, proving pivotal.
Data from Opta underscores Inter’s efficiency, converting limited chances into goals, while Barcelona’s attacking flair was undone by defensive frailties.
Decisive Moments: A Rollercoaster of Emotions
- 21’ – Inter 1-0 (Lautaro Martínez): Dumfries’ low cross found Martínez, who finished clinically on the counter.
- 45’ – Inter 2-0 (Hakan Çalhanoğlu, penalty): A debated handball call gave Inter a crucial cushion.
- 54’ – Barcelona 2-1 (Eric García): A set-piece header sparked Barça’s resurgence.
- 60’ – Barcelona 2-2 (Dani Olmo): Olmo’s cool finish shifted momentum.
- 87’ – Barcelona 3-2 (Raphinha): A long-range stunner silenced the San Siro.
- 90+3’ – Inter 3-3 (Francesco Acerbi): A towering header from a corner sent the game to extra time.
- 99’ – Inter 4-3 (Davide Frattesi): The substitute’s poacher’s finish clinched a 7-6 aggregate win.
The penalty decision and late set-piece goals drew post-match scrutiny, with Hansi Flick arguing that “every 50:50 call went Inter’s way.” Despite the controversy, Inter’s resilience shone through.
Takeaways: What We Learned
- Inter’s Set-Piece Mastery: Their aerial dominance and clinical finishing exposed Barcelona’s defensive weaknesses, a blueprint for their final opponent.
- Barcelona’s High-Line Risk: Flick’s aggressive tactics produced thrilling football but left gaps that Inter exploited, as noted by ESPN’s Craig Burley.
- Yamal’s Star Power: The teenager’s performance reaffirmed his status as a generational talent, offering hope for Barça’s future despite the loss.
- Inter’s Depth: Substitutes like Frattesi and Acerbi proved Inzaghi’s squad has the bench strength to compete at the highest level.
What’s Next for Both Teams?
Inter Milan: The Nerazzurri head to the Champions League final in Munich on May 31, 2025, facing either PSG or Arsenal (PSG lead 1-0 after the first leg). With a chance to claim their first UCL title since 2010, Inzaghi’s side will rely on their homegrown grit and tactical discipline. However, they must address domestic form, trailing Napoli by three points in Serie A.
Barcelona: The defeat ends their treble hopes, but La Liga remains theirs to lose. A crucial Clásico against Real Madrid looms, with Barça four points clear. Flick will need to bolster his defense, potentially with returning stars like Lewandowski and Balde, to maintain their domestic dominance.
Why This Match Matters
Described by NBC Sports as “perhaps the greatest tie in the competition’s history,” this 13-goal semifinal showcased the Champions League at its finest. Inter’s triumph is a testament to their resilience and tactical nous, while Barcelona’s fearless attacking style, led by Yamal, promises a bright future. For fans, it was a reminder of why football remains the world’s most captivating sport.
Sources: Opta, SofaScore, ESPN, NBC Sports, The Athletic