Despite a draw in the second leg, FC Bayern could not make up for the first leg defeat against Inter. Spicy: Two former professionals shone at the opponent.
For Bavaria, the Champions League did not go as hoped on Wednesday evening: until the 52nd minute, when Harry Kane shot his eleventh royal class goal of the season, it still looked relatively good from a Bavarian perspective. Then Inter Milan managed to equalize through a header of captain Lautaro Martínez. Finally Benjamin Pavard ended the Munich dream of a “final Dahoam” in the 61st minute.
Despite the compensation of Eric Dier in the 61st minute to 2-2, Bayern could not make up for their 1-2 first leg defeat. The Champions League final will now be held on May 31 without the Munich Arena.
Particularly bitter for Bayern: two players from their formerly their own ranks contributed significantly to departure. Inter-goalkeeper Yann Sommer, who had played with Bavaria in 2023, shone with strong parades throughout the game and kept his team in competition.
And until the end: in added time, a dangerous header from Bavaria’s veteran Thomas Müller parried. But not only he could show his class, central defender Benjamin Pavard also played a crucial role. The ex-Bayern star (2019 to 2023) scored the second goal for Inter-and his first in the premier class.
But back to summer: He switched from Bavaria to Inter Milan in August 2023 because he wanted to “play in the goal in the long term”. With these words, Bavaria’s CEO, Jan-Christian Dreesen, justified Sommer’s change.
In addition: Manuel Neuer agreed to his return after a long break and the Munich signed another keeper, Daniel Peretz. At Inter Milan, the “beautiful Yann”, as it is called in some circles, could count on a regular position.
Furthermore, summer was mixed with FC Bayern Munich. Although Bavaria won the championship with him in the 2022/23 season, Sommer was questioned from parts of the fan community and criticized his “Bavaria suitability”.
Sommer himself said about his time in Munich: “It doesn’t go by without a trace.” In the meantime, he seems to have overcome his time with the record champions-certainly also because he was now able to shine against his ex-club and has the chance to win the premier class with Inter. And that alongside an old acquaintance.
Because scorer Benjamin Pavard, who is used as a central defender at Inter, played near Bavaria from 2019 to 2023. And from January to August 2023 there too with summer. With the Munich team, the 29-year-old won four championship titles (2020–2023), the DFB Cup and the Champions League (2020).
Despite these successes, his time in Munich was also shaped by tensions. Although he shone as a central defender at the French national team at the 2018 World Cup, he was primarily used as a right -back at Bavaria. The Frenchman native could not put up with it.
In an interview with the French TV station Téléfoot, he said: “That’s why I left Bayern Munich to be able to play as a central defender.” At the time, the Bavarians had no idea when they released the change that the French international would throw them out of the Champions League.