On Tuesday Inter Milan progressed to the Champions League final as Davide Frattesi scored an extra-time winner to defeat Barcelona 4-3, 7-6 on overall.
Among a Milan deluge, Frattesi struck in the 99th minute to record a draw and drive a crowded San Siro crazy. Following an exciting game, Simone Inzaghi’s team will meet Arsenal or Paris Saint-Germain in Munich this month, hoping to capture a fourth European crown.
After Inter defeated Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals, Tuesday’s victory restored their season from their treble dream failing. Inter Milan dropped top ranking in Serie A to Napoli, who are favorites to win the league, following defeating Bayern and AC Milan in the Italian Cup two weeks ago.
But Inter destroyed Barca’s dreams for the quadruple and now head into the last weeks of the season jubilant with a second Champions League final in three seasons to look forward.
Inter should have been dropped, so Frattesi’s sixth goal for the season and most important of his career becomes even more amazing. With two minutes left in regulation, Raphinha’s return from two goals behind at halftime gave Barca a 3-2 lead. The hosts were bidding farewell.
By scoring from Denzel Dumfries’ cross in the second minute of extra time, Francesco Acerbi amazed the crowd—including Barca supporters. After a Lautaro Martinez goal and a penalty in the first half stoppage-time, Barca had been performing better in the second half, hence this goal came as surprising.
With amazing Gerard Martin throws, Yann Sommer had to be at his best to keep Inter within touching distance following Eric Garcia and Dani Olmo equalizing for Barca in the 54th and 60th minutes.
Most likely the greatest of the season, Sommer produced a pivotal save to stop Eric Garcia from scoring on a Barca counter-attack. Hit the post before Acerbi’s equalizer, the Swiss made another clutch stop from Lamine Yamal in the 113th minute.
Inter Milan held off Barcelona while the home supporters held their breath before screaming at the last whistle of the season.
