Again 3: 3 after 90 minutes
© Imago
Bayern converter Inter Milan has ended Hansi Flick’s triple dream and reached the Champions League final in Munich. A week after the spectacular 3: 3 in the first leg, Italy’s champions won the second leg against the FC Barcelona coached by ex-national coach Flick with 4: 3 (3: 3, 2: 0) after extension. Davide Frattesi made the decision on another memorable football evening in the 99th minute.
Lautaro Martínez (21st minute), the former Bundesliga professional Hakan Çalhanoğlu per penalty (45.+1) and Francesco Acerbi (90.+3) scored in the regular season, which is in the final class in 2023. Defender Eric García (54th), ex-Leipzig Dani Olmo (60th) and Raphinha (87th) had in the meantime shot the gripping game with its many twists.
Two years ago, Inter lost in the final against Manchester City. This time the Nerazzurri will meet Paris Saint-Germain or Arsenal on May 31. In the quarter -finals, the Milanese had eliminated FC Bayern. Flick can also win the championship after the Spanish trophy with Barça. The dream of clearing up all three big titles with Bayern in 2020, but at least this season is denied the 60-year-old.
A week after the full throttle event in Barcelona, both teams started the game somewhat more controlled. After a good 20 minutes, Inter-Star Martínez in the time-honored Giuseppe-Mazza Stadium provided ecstasy. Calculated Martínez. After he had to go out in the first leg, the use of the Argentine world champion had been open.
After a strong ball conquest from Federico Dimarco in midfield, the hosts were quick: Denzel Dumfries, double goal scorer from the first leg, put on the penalty area crossing and Martínez, Inters captain and emotional leader.
Barça tried a quick answer, but the offensive campaigns of the Catalans lacked the necessary precision. Exceptional talent Lamine Yamal occasionally started his dreaded dribbles, but struggled against Inter’s defensive that evening more than last week.
Shortly before the break, the next setback for Barça: After the former Hamburger and Leverkusener çalhanoğlu initially left a great chance (41.), he scored from the point to 2-0. Pau Cubarsí had fouled Martínez in the penalty area of the guests, referee Szymon Marciniak from Poland after a hint from the video assistant again and then decided on penalty – all the trouble of Flick.
In the second half, both teams treated themselves to almost no break. García hit the connection by direct acceptance. It went back and forth. Ex-Bundesliga goalkeeper Yann Sommer prevented the defender’s next goal (57th) with a world-class parade before Barcelonas Olmo made a head for compensation.
A good 20 minutes before the end, Referee Marciniak decided after a foul by Henrikh Mkhitaryan to Lamine Yamal, but then on free kick for Barça. In the final phase, the events overturned again: Raphinha met 3-2 for the Spaniards, Lamine Yamal afterwards only the post (90.+3) – and then Inters Acerbi actually still 3: 3.
In the extension, Barça hoped for fresh impulses from his substitute star striker Robert Lewandowski, who was recently injured. But Inters Joker Stach: Frattesi’s low shot to 4: 3, to which the guests no longer answered despite all the efforts, Flick’s triple dream ended.
