UCL: Frattesi fires Inter past Barca in extra-time 4-3 thriller
By Tosin Oyodiran
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| Inter players celebrating |
Frattesi's Late Goal Sends Inter Milan to Champions League Final in Seven-Goal Thriller Against Barcelona
In a Champions League semi-final encounter for the ages, David Frattesi etched his name into Inter Milan folklore, scoring the decisive goal in the 99th minute of extra time to secure a dramatic 4-3 victory over Barcelona at a raucous San Siro on Tuesday. The victory propelled Inter Milan to the Champions League final with a 7-6 aggregate scoreline, capping off a night of unrelenting drama and emotional swings.
The game was a tapestry of comebacks and stunning goals, with Francesco Acerbi providing Inter with a lifeline, rescuing a stoppage-time equaliser that cancelled out Raphinha's late strike, which initially seemed destined to send Barcelona to the final.
Barcelona, demonstrating their resilience, had mounted a stunning second-half comeback, with goals from Eric Garcia and Dani Olmo leveling the tie after Inter had established a commanding 2-0 lead at halftime. The pendulum swung wildly throughout the match, keeping fans on the edge of their seats until the final whistle.
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| Frattesi |
Inter Milan will now advance to face either PSG or Arsenal in the highly anticipated Champions League final, scheduled to take place on May 31 at the iconic Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany. The prospect of facing either of these European powerhouses adds another layer of excitement to Inter's quest for Champions League glory.
The atmosphere in the Inter Milan camp was a mixture of elation and disbelief. Defender Denzel Dumfries perfectly captured the chaotic nature of the night when speaking to Amazon Prime: “A crazy match again! Seven goals today. It was incredible. We fought until the end; very proud of the way we fought today. Overall, I’m very happy that we’re going to the final.” Dumfries’ words underscored the team's unwavering spirit and determination to fight until the very end.
Goalkeeper Yann Sommer, who was rightfully named Player of the Match for his outstanding performance, was equally emotional in his post-match reflections. Speaking to Sky Italia, he said: “I’m very happy, we played an incredible match. Which save will I remember? The last one on Lamine Yamal; he is a great player and fortunately it didn’t go in. Many teams would have given up after going down 3-2 but we didn’t, and managed to come back.” Sommer's humility and focus on the team's collective effort were a testament to Inter's unity and resolve.
The rollercoaster nature of the game left even seasoned commentators struggling to articulate the sheer drama that unfolded. Clarence Seedorf, the former Milan and Netherlands midfielder, summed it up: “I think we’ve had enough emotions today! In the first half Inter were supreme, but Barcelona came back, and Inter looked low on energy. But the thing that amazed me is they never give up, and who would have thought they’d be able to score such a late equaliser against Barcelona.” Seedorf's analysis highlighted Inter's resilience and their ability to defy expectations.
Former England striker Wayne Rooney echoed Seedorf's sentiment, highlighting Inter’s renewed vigor in the dying stages of the match: “Once Inter got the equaliser it looked like they were the team that were going to push. Barcelona ran out of ideas at the end. I’m not really quick to praise goalkeepers, but some of those saves Yann Sommer made were excellent.” Rooney's praise for Sommer's goalkeeping performance underscored the importance of individual brilliance in a team effort.
Among the many heroes of the night, Davide Frattesi shone brightly, once again playing the role of match-winner. Reflecting on the frenzied celebrations that followed his decisive goal, he exclaimed: “What happened? I don’t know! I celebrated so loudly that my head was spinning.”
He later added, drawing parallels to his earlier heroics in Munich: “After the game in Munich, I thought I would never experience anything like this again in terms of emotions. But that’s the beauty of football. It’s part of my career; I’ve always been the first to believe and the last to give up. This is a reward for my dedication and commitment. After it went 3-3, I told Marcus [Thuram] that we would go through.” Frattesi's words highlighted his unwavering belief in his team's ability to succeed and his commitment to giving his all on the field.