Inter Milan dreaming of treble glory after reaching Champions League semis

MILAN – Inter Milan’s treble dream is alive and kicking after reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League on April 16, thanks to a 2-2 draw with Bayern Munich that saw the Serie A giants win a pulsating last-eight tie 4-3 on aggregate.

The Italian champions will face Barcelona in the semi-finals after goals in the space of three minutes from captain Lautaro Martinez and Benjamin Pavard cancelled out a Harry Kane strike which levelled the tie in the 52nd minute.

Eric Dier’s looping header in the 76th minute earned Bayern a draw on the night in soaking and blustery Milan, but that was not enough for Vincent Kompany’s side to continue their bid to be crowned kings of Europe for a seventh time.

Inter, the 2023 Champions League finalists, came through in awful conditions at the San Siro, where heavy rain and driving winds affected both teams’ ability to play their best football.

“We don’t give up, we have personality and heart and intelligence. We were definitely on the back foot at times today but we showed again today that we can do great things,” Argentina striker Martinez told Amazon Prime.

Simone Inzaghi’s side are still on course for a repeat of the Serie A, Champions League and Italian Cup treble won under Jose Mourinho in 2010, as they are three points ahead of Napoli in Italy’s top flight and face AC Milan in the semi-finals of the domestic cup.

“We think about winning everything at the start of every season, because if we don’t then we shouldn’t play this sport. That’s our mentality,” added Martinez.

Inzaghi, meanwhile, said that it was a “beautiful evening” despite the weather conditions because his side won against a very strong team in front of their fans.

“We had to play two great games, putting everything we had. The boys were splendid, it’s a victory to share with the whole Inter world. We are moving forward in this long season that is giving us so many emotions,” he said.

Bayern had won all three of their previous Champions League away matches at Inter but, after Pavard crashed home his first goal for the club in the 61st minute, there was no way back for the injury-hit Bundesliga leaders.

“When you look at how the two games went, we wouldn’t have wished for a lot different, except the goals we conceded. That’s football, that’s life,” said Kompany.

Bayern veteran forward Thomas Muller added that he and his teammates were disappointed to not contest the May 31 final at their home stadium in Munich.

“I gave everything, we gave everything. We played against the best team in Italy who have conceded only two goals in the Champions League before facing us,” the 35-year-old former Germany forward told Dazn.

“I saw players who fought on the pitch and showed a lot of energy... The fans saw that we gave everything. It’s a pity for us because the final is (going to be) in Munich.”

Looking ahead, Inter will also benefit from playing the second leg of their showdown with Barca, whom they beat in the semi-finals on their way to victory in Madrid 15 years ago, at the San Siro on May 6. AFP, REUTERS