Reuters
It provided us with everything. "This semi-final has been pure entertainment from beginning to end last week and this week," Alan Shearer stated.
Inter Milan defeated Barcelona 4-3 on the evening and 7-6 overall to advance to the Champions League final, serving up a European classic for the second time in six days.
Barca had fallen down 2-0 and 3-2 in the first leg in Catalonia before rescuing a 3-3 draw in a thrilling match that will be remembered for years to come.
They then fell behind 2-0 at halftime on Tuesday in Milan, which put them behind 5-3 overall, before scoring three goals without a response.
Raphinha's goal in the 87th minute gave Barca the lead overall, but a thrilling match went into extra time when 37-year-old Francesco Acerbi scored his first European goal. Davide Frattesi, a substitute, then scored the game-winning goal to send over 70,000 Inter supporters into a frenzy inside the San Siro.
With 13 goals, it was the second-highest Champions League semi-final in history, tied with the 2018 semifinal in which Liverpool also defeated Roma 7–6 overall.
"We didn't expect this, did we?" Shearer, the former captain of England, was inside the San Siro for Amazon Prime.
"We thought the game would be good, but this? We appreciate Barcelona and Inter Milan for giving us two fantastic football games and amazing entertainment.
Something truly unique has been what we have seen. Being here has been enjoyable.
Following one of the greatest modern classics, Inter will play either Paris St-Germain or Arsenal, who meet in the other semi-final in France on Wednesday at 20:00 BST.
PSG has a 1-0 advantage after the first leg.
"My head was spinning"—Inter forgo clean sheets in favor of goals in plenty
When Polish referee Szymon Marciniak blew the final whistle at 23:38 local time, Inter Milan's players fell to their knees, fatigued but victorious. No neutral wanted this match full of twists and turns to end.
To thank their ecstatic supporters, who may begin making travel and accommodation arrangements for the final in Munich on May 31, they stayed on the field for a good fifteen to twenty minutes after full time.
Shearer went on, "Inter were heading out, they were done."
"They managed to advance to the final in some fashion. They are deserving of being present.
Clean sheets and unwavering perseverance have been the cornerstones of Inter's success in the tournament this season.
Not in opposition to Barcelona.
Over 210 minutes, they gave up more goals against the La Liga leaders than they did in their first 12 Champions League games this season combined.
Yann Sommer, the goalkeeper for Switzerland, had recorded seven of the team's eight clean sheets Overall, it was a good outcome for the three-time winners.
Barcelona scored three goals in just 33 minutes on Tuesday, hammering Inter's net with 22 efforts (10 on target).
However, Inter persevered, with substitute Davide Frattesi scoring the game-winning goal in extra time.
"What took place? I'm not sure!" he replied afterward. "I celebrated so loudly that my head was spinning."
Will a 'fantastic night' finally result in another Italian winner?
Fifteen years have passed since Inter, led by Jose Mourinho, won the European championship. Since defeating Bayern Munich in 2010, no Italian team has claimed the Champions League.
At the end of the month, will that change?
Despite not being the clear favorite to win this year's championship, Opta ranked them as the third favorite to finish, far behind Real Madrid and Manchester City. However, Inter is currently in a favorable position because both of those teams have already been eliminated.
To reach their second final in three seasons, they have traveled back in time.
The 2023 runners-up to Manchester City have gone undefeated in 16 Champions League home games, marking their longest unbeaten streak in Europe since the 1980s.
"It was an amazing night," stated Simone Inzaghi, the manager of Inter. "To share with our supporters, our team, and our loved ones. The players took exceptional action.
"We defeated two elite teams, Barcelona and Bayern [in the quarterfinal], in four incredible games. It was wonderful to join our fans in celebrating this accomplishment.
Denzel Dumfries, a Dutch defender for Inter, finished the two-leg match against Barcelona with two goals and three assists.
"A wild match once more! It was amazing to score seven goals today," Dumfries remarked.
"I thought I would never experience anything like this again in terms of emotions after the game in Munich," said Frattesi, an Italian midfielder.
But that's what makes football so great. I've always been the last to give up and the first to believe; it's a part of my job.
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