- Inter Milan Beat Barcelona at the San Siro 4-3 To Reach Their Second UEFA Champions League final in 3 years
The mental strength to come back after losing a two-goal lead for the second time in a week against Barcelona is the reason why Inter Milan will play in the Champions League final once again in 2025.
Just like the first leg, Inter Milan started well against Barcelona in the first half. The Italian side took a two-goal lead thanks to goals from Lautaro Martinez and a penalty by Calhanoglu. However, just like in the first leg in Barcelona, they let it slip. Barcelona equalized in the second half, and with just three minutes of normal time remaining, Raphinha scored what looked like the winner.
At that moment, many believed Inter Milan’s journey had ended, but Barcelona’s naive defending gave Inter a lifeline. The Italians struck late to level the tie at 3-3. Frattesi came off the bench and scored the decisive goal nine minutes into extra time, sealing Inter’s place in the Champions League final for the second time in three years.
Resilient Inter Milan Reap Rewards
It takes extraordinary courage and also impressive mental strength to not crumble after losing a two-goal lead and conceding what seemed to be the winner with just minutes left – Inzaghi’s men had all that and more.
They dug deep, believing they could still salvage the game and force extra time. That belief came to life through 37-year-old Acerbi, who charged into the box and scored the equalizer with seconds remaining.
This is the spirit of champions — the refusal to accept defeat. A quality found in every great side. Inter Milan truly deserve their place in the Champions League final, and Nerazzurri fans will hope this is the year they heal the heartache of 2023, when they lost 1-0 to Manchester City.
