A Belligerent Inter & An Unrelenting Barcelona
After two sensational matches, nerve wracking drama, football of the highest quality and 13 goals, a belligerent Inter Milan eventually got past an unrelenting Barcelona to reach the Finals of the UEFA Champions League 7-6 on aggregate.
Another Humdinger
The first leg played in Barcelona was a 3-3 humdinger and another close game was expected in the second leg to be played out at the iconic San Siro in Milan, last night. What culminated was nothing short of a riveting game of football which swung from one side to the other as nerves jangled and pulse ran high.
Lautaro & Calhanoglu Give Inter The Lead At The Break
Captain Lautaro Martinez scored in the 21st minute for Inter after a brilliant move from Dumfries (the Dutchman was too good on the night). At the stroke of halftime, Inter won a penalty which Hakan Calhanoglu converted with ease, giving the Nerazzuri (the black and blues) a 5-3 lead on aggregate at the break.
Barcelona Respond In Kind To Draw Level
It looked as if the game was going Inter’s way but resolute Barcelona struck with great precision. The Catalans scored in the 54th minute through a brilliant volley from Eric Garcia and then 6 minutes later Barcelona equalised through Dani Olmo who till that moment was having a very quiet game. Barcelona had brought the match on an even keel with 5-5 on aggregate. Inter were simply stunned.
Raphina Gives Barcelona The Lead
Barcelona were relentless, but Sommer ( Inter’s Swiss goalkeeper) kept the Catalans at bay. Lamine Yamal was exceptional on the field. Sommer denied him on umpteenth occasions, and once Yamal’s strike hit the woodwork. It has to be said, Yamal was a bit unlucky. He should have scored. But Raphina had no such problems and scored in the 87th minute with a sublime finish from a Sommer rebound. It was heartbreaking for Inter; they were ahead in the game and now were facing a possible exit with the scoreline reading 6-5 in favour of Barcelona.
A Determined Acerbi Equalises For Inter In Stoppage Time
Inter are also known as the ‘ Biscione ‘, meaning the Big Grass Snake and they bit Barcelona right at the end. 37-year-old Francesco Acerbi produced a cool finish to get Inter back to level terms, 3 minutes into stoppage time, and pushed the match into extra time. Another twist in an unending drama. Barcelona had missed a great opportunity to win and now it was anybody’s game. With the crowd vociferous to the limits and pushing the home team no end, it was not going to be easy for the visitors.
The Moment Of Truth: Frattesi Puts Inter Ahead Yet Again as Barca Slip In the End
The moment of truth eventually arrived nine minutes into the first half of extra time, when Davide Frattesi came off the bench to score for Inter. It was an awesome strike with a great finish. Szczesny, Barca’s great goalkeeper, was beaten all ends up. The big grass snake had done its job, leaving Barca bleeding. The San Siro was up in raptures, almost brought down by the screaming fans. Inter had taken a 7-6 lead.
Inter Hang On To Win
The Nerazzuri held on, foiling all attempts from Barcelona to equalise. Lamine Yamal threatened once or twice, but Inter survived. Sommer was simply brilliant. The nervousness increased as the minutes ticked by. And at last, a winner was found after two gruelling, emotional, energy-sapping duels. Inter won as the referee blew the long whistle and qualified for the Finals to be played (against the winner of Arsenal vs PSG) in Munich on the intervening night of 31st May and 1st of June.
What an exceptional game. One for the Ages indeed.
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