UCL QF: Inter Milan vs. Bayern Munich: Semifinal Still Up for Grabs
by Tyler Doty | by Tyler Doty
The First Leg at the Allianz Arena
Last Wednesday, Inter Milan and Bayern Munich played the first leg at the Allianz Arena, a match that soccer fans had been eagerly anticipating. Not only was it a clash between two top teams, but also between the best defense and the best attack in the competition. For many, the big question was which side would prevail: Inter's defense or Bayern's attack?
It was Inter who opened the scoring with a goal from Lautaro Martínez in the 38th minute, and they went into halftime with the lead. For a long time, it seemed like Inter would leave with the win, until Thomas Müller, the veteran of Bayern, equalized in the 85th minute. Just under 3 minutes later, Inter responded with a goal from Frattesi, sealing the match: 1-2 for Inter, and Bayern's first home defeat of the season.
The Tie is Still Wide Open
One thing we can say about both teams is that they are extremely strong when playing on their own turf. Inter Milan hasn’t lost a single match at the San Siro, and for Bayern Munich, last week’s loss was their first at the Allianz Arena.
This sets the stage for even more drama in the return leg in Milan. While Inter boasts the strongest defense in the Champions League, they do concede goals in Serie A fairly regularly. In their last 6 matches, Inter has kept a clean sheet only once—something Bayern will likely take advantage of.
Bayern will be chasing goals, while Inter will look to lock things down at the back.
With a score of 1-2, the tie is still completely open: Bayern only needs one goal to level the playing field and continue their hunt for a spot in the semifinals. It seems we’re in for another showdown between attack and defense: Bayern will be chasing goals, while Inter will look to lock things down at the back.
Can Bayern Reach a Second Consecutive Semifinal?
In the 2023/2024 Champions League, Inter Milan was knocked out in the round of 16 by Atlético Madrid, but Bayern Munich managed to progress further than the Italians. In the quarterfinals, they knocked out Arsenal, but in the semifinals, they bowed out to the eventual tournament winner, Real Madrid. A semifinal berth is nothing new for Bayern Munich, but they must first get past Inter Milan.
With a 1-2 scoreline, Bayern Munich has little to lose—they’ll need to score to earn their place in the semifinals. Our experts, who’ve prepared the Inter Milan vs Bayern Munich prediction, foresee both teams finding the scoreboard. Given Bayern's recent difficulties and lack of key players like Musiala, Coman, and Davies, our editorial team is having a hard time imagining a way into the semis for the German club.
