Inter Milan advanced to the Champions League final on Tuesday when Davide Frattesi scored an extra-time winner to beat Barcelona 4-3, 7-6 on aggregate.
Frattesi scored in the 99th minute amid a downpour in Milan to win a record draw and send a packed San Siro berserk. Simone Inzaghi’s club will meet Arsenal or Paris Saint-Germain in Munich this month, with a chance to win a fourth European title following a thrilling match.
Tuesday’s win salvaged Inter’s season, after their treble ambition failed after defeating Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals. After beating Bayern and AC Milan in the Italian Cup two weeks ago, Inter Milan lost top rank in Serie A to Napoli, who are favorites to win the league.
But Inter ruined Barca´s ambitions for the quadruple and now head into the final weeks of the season euphoric with a second Champions League final in three seasons to look forward to.
Inter should have been eliminated, making Frattesi’s sixth goal of the season and most significant of his career even more remarkable. Raphinha’s comeback from two goals down at halftime gave Barca a 3-2 advantage with two minutes left in regulation. The hosts were leaving.
Francesco Acerbi impressed the crowd, including Barca fans, by scoring from Denzel Dumfries’ cross in the second minute of extra time. This goal was unexpected as Barca had been playing better in the second half after a Lautaro Martinez goal and a penalty in the first half stoppage-time.
Yann Sommer had to be at his best to keep Inter within touching distance after Eric Garcia and Dani Olmo equalized for Barca in the 54th and 60th minutes with exquisite Gerard Martin throws.
Sommer made a crucial save to prevent Eric Garcia from scoring on a Barca counter-attack, probably the best of the season. In the 113th minute, the Swiss made another clutch stop from Lamine Yamal, who hit the post before Acerbi’s equalizer.
Inter Milan held off Barcelona as the home fans held their breath before roaring at the season’s final whistle.
Source: Myghanadaily
