Inter Milan will hope to get the job done against Bayern Munich at the Giuseppe Meazza on Wednesday night.
Inter Milan return to Stadio Giuseppe Meazza with a slender but significant advantage in hand, as they host Bayern Munich in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final tie. A 2-1 victory in Munich, sealed late by Davide Frattesi’s composed finish, has placed Simone Inzaghi’s side on the cusp of a second UEFA Champions League semi-final in just three years.
But as history and heavyweight European nights have shown us time and again, advantage is often fleeting at this level. Bayern Munich, bruised but not broken, arrive in Milan desperate to reverse the tide and maintain their 100% record at the Giuseppe Meazza against Inter.
Inter’s first-leg triumph in Munich was a lesson in tactical discipline and devastating counterattacking precision. After racing into the lead with one of the competition’s finest breakaway goals this season, they were momentarily pegged back by Thomas Muller’s equaliser, only to respond with another sucker punch in the 88th minute.
That win made it five straight Champions League victories for the Nerazzurri, a feat they last achieved in their legendary 2009/10 treble-winning campaign under Jose Mourinho. Confidence is flowing. Inter are unbeaten in 14 Champions League home matches, the longest ongoing run in the competition. They have also gone 12 games without defeat in all competitions, solidifying their domestic dominance while chasing continental dreams.
History, too, is largely on their side: Inter have progressed from 21 of 23 previous Champions League knockout ties when winning the first leg. Yet the one cautionary tale came last season, when a strong first-leg display against Atletico Madrid gave way to a frustrating exit in the return leg.
For Vincent Kompany, the Allianz Arena defeat was his first home European loss as Bayern Munich boss, and one that ended a 22-game unbeaten run on home soil. The 2-1 reverse also exposed Bayern’s current vulnerabilities, especially in transition, an area Inter exploited with ruthless accuracy.
Still, hope springs from precedent. Bayern’s only win in their last eight Champions League ties after losing the first leg came just last season, ironically, against Italian opposition in Lazio. And their record in Milan is impeccable: four away wins from four at the Giuseppe Meazza against Inter, all without conceding. That stat alone may offer Kompany and his players a psychological edge.
However, Bayern’s overall form does little to inspire fear. A 2-2 draw in Der Klassiker against Borussia Dortmund at the weekend means their domestic dominance is tapering, despite a seemingly unassailable six-point lead atop the Bundesliga. The aura of invincibility has faded.
This is not quite the vintage Bayern of yesteryear, stacked with dominant personalities and defined structures. Kompany’s transitional side has talent, but they have lacked consistency. Inzaghi’s Inter, in contrast, look like a complete unit, tactically cohesive, emotionally mature, and built for the long haul. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how both sides could line up and what tactics they might employ on the day.
Team News & Tactics
Inter Milan
Simone Inzaghi heads into the second leg with his squad close to full strength and key players well-rested. Over the weekend, the Inter boss smartly rotated his side for the Serie A clash against Cagliari, giving stars like Marcus Thuram, Alessandro Bastoni, and Henrikh Mkhitaryan the chance to recharge before Wednesday’s showdown.
There are, however, a few injury concerns. Piotr Zielinski and Denzel Dumfries remain sidelined and will not feature in the matchday squad. Mehdi Taremi has returned from a muscle injury and was fit enough for the bench last time out, but he is unlikely to start. Meanwhile, Kristjan Asllani returns from a European suspension and is available but also expected to play a bench role.
One of Inzaghi’s key decisions will be at left wing-back. Federico Dimarco is now fully fit again, yet Carlos Augusto has been in excellent form in recent weeks. Still, the more experienced and technically astute Dimarco is expected to get the nod for such a high-stakes fixture.
Inter Milan are expected to line up in their familiar 3-5-2 formation against Bayern Munich. Yann Sommer will start in goal, commanding a back three comprised of Benjamin Pavard on the right, Francesco Acerbi through the middle, and Alessandro Bastoni on the left. This trio offers the perfect mix of composure, aerial ability, and ball progression.
In midfield, Matteo Darmian will operate on the right flank, while Federico Dimarco is set to return on the left. The central trio features Nicolo Barella for dynamism and forward runs, Hakan Calhanoglu as the deep-lying playmaker, and Henrikh Mkhitaryan, whose intelligence and experience will be vital in controlling the tempo.
Up front, captain Lautaro Martínez will once again partner Marcus Thuram, whose pace and off-the-ball movement were instrumental in the first leg. Together, they offer one of the most balanced strike partnerships in Europe capable of pressing from the front, linking play, and producing moments of magic in transition.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Sommer; Pavard, Acerbi, Bastoni; Darmian, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Martinez, Thuram
Bayern Munich
Die Roten are navigating a decisive stretch of the season with several key players unavailable. The most notable absentee is Jamal Musiala, who has been ruled out for the remainder of the campaign. His absence significantly dents Bayern’s creative options in midfield. Thomas Muller, who came off the bench to score in the first leg against Inter Milan, is expected to step into the attacking midfield role and provide the leadership and composure required on a high-stakes European night.
Between the posts, Jonas Urbig will continue, as Manuel Neuer’s recovery has been delayed and the veteran is now not expected to return until the end of April at the earliest. Defensively, Bayern remain depleted, with Alphonso Davies, Dayot Upamecano, and Hiroki Ito all ruled out due to injury. This forced reshuffle at the back places pressure on a makeshift defensive line to contain Inter’s prolific forward duo.
Further up the pitch, Serge Gnabry’s impact off the bench in the weekend draw against Borussia Dortmund has raised questions about a possible starting role. However, Leroy Sane is likely to retain his place on the wing, with Kingsley Coman providing additional firepower from the bench should the Bavarians need to chase the tie.
Vincent Kompany is expected to deploy a 4-2-3-1 formation. In goal, Jonas Urbig will be protected by a back four of Konrad Laimer at right-back, Eric Dier and Kim Min-jae at the heart of the defence, and Josip Stanisic filling in on the left. It is a patched-up but experienced backline that must remain organised against Inter’s quick transitions.
In midfield, the double pivot of Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka will shoulder responsibility for dictating tempo and disrupting Inter’s build-up play. In the attacking trio just ahead, Michael Olise is expected to operate on the right flank, with Thomas Muller occupying the central playmaking role, and Leroy Sane offering width and directness from the left wing.
Leading the line will be Harry Kane, who, despite a relatively quiet first leg, remains Bayern’s focal point in attack. His link-up play, physical presence, and ability to finish half-chances will be critical if the Bavarians are to overturn their 2-1 deficit at the Giuseppe Meazza.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Urbig; Laimer, Dier, Kim, Stanisic; Kimmich, Goretzka; Olise, Muller, Sane; Kane
Key Stats
- Inter Milan and Bayern Munich have faced each other six times in the UEFA Champions League, with both sides winning three games apiece. Interestingly, only one of those victories was secured by the home team , Bayern’s 2-0 win in November 2022.
- Bayern Munich have won all four of their away matches against Inter Milan in European competition, including three Champions League games, each without conceding a goal. This is Inter’s longest-ever home losing streak against a single opponent in European competitions.
- Inter Milan have progressed from 21 of their last 23 UEFA Champions League knockout ties when winning the first leg. One of the two failures came last season, when they were eliminated by Atletico de Madrid on penalties despite winning the first leg 1-0.
- Bayern Munich have only progressed from one of their last eight Champions League knockout stage ties when losing the first leg. That sole success came last season against Lazio (3-1 on aggregate).
- Inter Milan are unbeaten in their last 14 home games in the UEFA Champions League (12 wins, 2 draws). This is currently the longest active unbeaten run in the competition, having ended Bayern’s 22-match unbeaten streak at the Allianz Arena in the first leg.
Player to Watch
Lautaro Martinez
On a night where fine margins will define the trajectory of a European dream, Inter Milan will turn to their talismanic captain Lautaro Martínez for inspiration. The Argentine forward has been the heartbeat of Simone Inzaghi’s attack this season, not just for his goals but also for his relentless pressing, intelligent movement, and leadership under pressure.
Lautaro leads Inter in both goals and overall attacking contributions in all competitions, and his understanding with Marcus Thuram continues to blossom into one of Europe’s most effective forward partnerships. His sharpness in tight spaces, ability to drop deep and link play, and poacher’s instinct in the box make him a constant menace, especially in high-intensity, knockout-stage fixtures.
Having already lifted the World Cup with Argentina and played a key role in Inter’s domestic success, Martínez thrives in big moments. With the crowd at the Giuseppe Meazza behind him and a slender lead to defend, the striker will look to write another iconic chapter in his Inter story. If Bayern are to stand any chance of progressing, they must first find a way to silence Lautaro, a task easier said than done.
Prediction
Inter Milan 1-1 Bayern Munich (Inter advance 3-2 on aggregate)
Expect Bayern to push forward with intent, perhaps even dominate phases of the match. But Inter’s current form, resilience at home, and tactical structure under Inzaghi make them favourites to hold their ground and see out a narrow aggregate win. A hard-fought draw on the night sends the Nerazzurri into the final four and deservedly so.
