Inter Milan’s Davide Frattesi pays tribute to late grandmother after win at Bayern Munich

MUNICH – Inter Milan’s Davide Frattesi overcame personal heartbreak to net a late winner in the 2-1 Champions League win at Bayern Munich on April 8 after the midfielder’s grandmother died the day before the first leg of their quarter-final tie.

Inter captain Lautaro Martinez had put the visitors in the driving seat in the first half before Thomas Muller equalised in the 85th minute.

Frattesi, who came off the bench in the 74th minute, restored Inter’s lead with two minutes of regulation time left to give the treble-chasing Italian side a crucial advantage to take home.

“In my life, I’ve always thought that my best quality was my mindset. I found myself in a situation where I couldn’t continue on my usual path,” Italy midfielder Frattesi told Inter TV.

“I was very close to my grandmother and wasn’t used to seeing her like that.

“It was tough, but I know that she’s involved somehow tonight. Maybe she’s cheering me on from up there.”

The 25-year-old said Serie A champions Inter had secured a terrific result on the back of the 2-2 draw at relegation-threatened Parma on April 5 but needed to stay focused in the title run-in.

“We’ll try to attack even more, and we need to attack well when we manage to recover possession, like we did for the second goal this evening,” Frattesi said of next week’s return leg.

“We’ll need to play well and be ruthless.”

It was Bayern’s first home defeat in the Champions League since April 2021.

Martinez had put the visitors ahead after 38 minutes, drilling the ball into the net from a superb Marcus Thuram back-heel after Bayern had earlier hit the post through Harry Kane.

Bayern pinned Inter in their own half but could not find an equaliser until crowd favourite Muller was in the right place to score with five minutes left.

Their joy, however, lasted only three minutes with Frattesi tapping in the winner in a heartbreaking finale for the Bayern fans at the Allianz Arena, the site of this season’s final.

“We said we had to take possession away from Bayern. When they have it, it’s a problem to take it away from them. We had to come here with personality,” said Inter coach Simone Inzaghi.

“Bayern did try to press us, but Inter played quality football to come out of it.

“We also deserve credit for believing in the victory until the final minute, despite conceding a goal a few moments earlier.”

Inter have conceded just three goals in their 11 Champions League matches this season.

Bayern coach Vincent Kompany, meanwhile, said his side “fully believe” in their chances despite the home loss.

“In the first half we were very dominant. We had clear chances and should have scored more goals,” he told reporters.

“Inter’s ahead, but we need to win in Milan. Results aren’t always fair, but it’s half-time.

“We were confident and it’s a shame Inter scored this late goal, but we’ll have the chance again in Milan, that’s how we feel.

“We’re fully believing in our chances in Milan.”

Bayern’s England striker Kane agreed, saying “there’s 90 minutes to play”.

He added: “We created enough opportunities to hurt them and if we do the same next week, we can turn it around.” REUTERS, AFP