Disappointment mixed with pride - focus turns to league

Disappointment and pride. Bayern fans should be carrying both of these feelings following a memorable night at the San Siro. Both of them also came up in Jan-Christian Dreesen’s speech at the post-match banquet in Milan. “This is a difficult day for us,” said the CEO in front of the players and staff. “We’d imagined things going differently today. We all had that dream of the final at home. We were a team today, we fought, it was good to watch. We did a lot well. Great credit to the team, you put in a great performance. We didn’t lose this tie today, but probably with the second goal in Munich. So, I want to give the team huge credit for their performance today.”

The Bayern CEO was rightly proud of the team after their courageous display at the footballing cathedral of the San Siro, where they did little wrong. However, before we come to the performance on the pitch on this spectacular European night in North Italy, one thing must be made clear: this elimination hurts, it really hurts. And that feeling will last for several days among all those with a red-and-white heart. That’s completely understandable and only underlines once more the love for this club for Munich, who gave it everything for their fans – whether the vocal supporters inside the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza or those watching at home. It sounds trite, but it just wasn't meant to be.

Maximum support from fans and the injured

The conditions were right, everything was set up for a memorable night in the Champions League: Milan was to be just a step on ‘Our Way hoam’ to Munich for the final. The fans of the German record champions made that abundantly clear on Wednesday afternoon when they organised a fan march outside the Bayern team hotel in Milan and gave Harry Kane, Leon Goretzka, Aleksandar Pavlović and Co – who took to the streets and clearly enjoyed the action – a motivational send-off to the San Siro with chants like “European Cup winners, FCB!”. 

Then there were the good-luck messages sent via social media before the game from Jamal Musiala, who wrote “All together’”under the post, and Alphonso Davies, who appealed to the Bavarian identity and belief in ‘Mia san mia’. Of course, the two world-class players were also sorely missed against Inter, as they are currently out for the long term – along with other key players. Such as captain Manuel Neuer, who travelled to Lombardy and supported his colleagues pitchside with advice, action and presence. It also hurt to see this exceptional player, who is currently unwell, looking sad after the final whistle on the pitch in front of the away block. His deputy Jonas Urbig, only 21 years young and now with four Champions League appearances under his belt, impressed once again on Wednesday evening with his presence and quality on the ball. The winter signing was powerless to prevent both goals conceded from corner kicks.

Müller on par with Messi

Just like Neuer and the rest, Thomas Müller also sought solace from the brilliant Bayern fans in the upper tier, who cheered their team at the final whistle. Shortly after that, the veteran was already composed again – and proud of his team. “Obviously we’re disappointed, although what does ‘disappointed’ mean?” reflected the 35-year-old. “I’m not really that disappointed because at the end of the day we’re just playing football. I always judge games a bit personally for myself: did I give everything? Can I look myself in the mirror? Did the team give everything? Then you can look yourself in the mirror.” Ahead of the game, Müller had called on his team to improve their chance conversion – which they did in the quarter-final second leg. From six shots on target, two pierced the net.

In the end, that wasn’t enough to advance and the showdown at the San Siro proved to be Müller’s final Champions League game for Bayern. With his 163rd appearance for his beloved FCB in Europe’s premier club competition, the living legend drew level with Lionel Messi in the all-time ranking on Wednesday. Only Cristiano Ronaldo (183) and Iker Casillas (177) boast more UCL appearances. “Today, Thomas moved into the pantheon of the top three Champions League appearance makers,” acknowledged Dreesen at the banquet. “That’s an extraordinary achievement, a lifelong achievement that you don’t get very often in football.”

No reward in first half

Despite the promising omens, it ultimately wasn’t enough to reach the semi-finals. Even though there was something in the air, even before kick-off. The players on both sides had their shirts blowing around their bodies from the kick-off, such was the wind in San Siro on Wednesday evening. The knockout clash got off to an equally powerful start, with Munich having the better of the early stages. Coach Kompany's boys were fearless and courageous right from the start – which was the motto on this cold and wet evening, with FEARLESS emblazoned in several languages in the FCB dressing room in San Siro. Müller and Co put the Inter defence under constant pressure on the deep, pitch with high pressing, creating several good chances. However, neither Michael Olise's blocked shot (3rd minute) nor the Frenchman again after a dream pass from Müller (11’) were able to put the Bavarians ahead. Alessandro Bastoni thwarted Olise's big chance with a great last-ditch tackle.

Subsequently, Inter, who were confident and composed on the ball, became more dangerous as FCB allowed them more possession. Lively forward Marcus Thuram went agonisingly close from a Federico Dimarco free-kick after 29 minutes. Eight minutes later, the vociferous Bayern fans under the roof of the iconic stadium wanted to scream the ball over the line again. After a scramble in the Italians’ penalty area, the influential Müller was blocked at the last moment before Leroy Sané was also unsuccessful in the follow-up. As a result, Bayern went into the break with no goals and a bit of anger in their bellies.

Thrilling second half with four goals

After the break, the home side came out with more intent, but Kane (52’) scored for the visitors with their first chance of the second half to make it 1-0 – the Englishman’s 11th Champions League goal of the campaign and his 13th goal involvement. As the striker celebrated passionately in the corner under the Bayern section, the FCB fans were once again overcome by the feeling that they really could still progress today and pull off the comeback. These thoughts were released in an explosive cheer from the visiting fans, which seemed to make the monstrous roof on the massive stadium jump. “Obviously it’s tough walking off the pitch now after we gave everything to win,” summarised goalscorer Kane after the elimination. “I think we had enough chances in both games to score more goals. And tonight, conceding two goals from set pieces is tough to swallow. We were very close at the end, but in these big games it comes down to moments, and they exploited them better than we did. If we look back at both legs, we can definitely say we can beat any team in the world.”

Kane’s goal was followed by probably the worst three minutes of Bayern’s UCL season. First Lautaro Martínez netted from a corner after an unfortunate ricochet off Joshua Kimmich (58’), then Benjamin Pavard headed Inter 2-1 in front from a corner after Eric Dier had prevented a goal with a world-class block (61’).

The introductions of Serge Gnabry and Raphaël Guerreiro on 65 minutes brought fresh energy to Bayern, who had the next clear-cut chance to equalise through Olise (75’). The deserved equaliser then came a minute later from Dier, whose impressive header from the byline after Gnabry’s cross made it 2-2 on the night. “We kept going until the end but it wasn’t enough,” said Dier, who scored his first goal in his 41st appearance in the competition. “We controlled the game and had a lot of chances to score more goals in both legs. We could’ve done better with the goals we conceded.” FCB had inflicted two goals on Inter in a Champions League home match for the first time since April 2023.

In a heated ending to the contest, Bayern threw everything forward, driven by the hope of the Bayern fans for a late strike. In the fifth minute of stoppage time, there was one last chance for Müller with his head – it would’ve been so beautiful. Board member for sport Max Eberl said afterwards: “When you’re knocked out like that, of course disappointment is the overriding feeling. I definitely don’t think we were the worse team in both legs. Perhaps the luckier team went through. We threw everything and then conceded two goals from set pieces. We can feel disappointed but still leave here with our heads held high.”

Dreesen, Kompany & Co look forward

Now Bayern’s attention turns back to the bread and butter, the Bundesliga. “We have the chance to regain the title in the Bundesliga, which is obviously important,” said Kane despite the disappointment in Milan. His boss set the same focus: “It goes on. Of course it’s disappointing. The fact is we’re out of the Champions League. We had our chance, but I see a lot of possibilities out there. And that’s what pleases me, that we’re immediately looking forward again. That we’re saying: it’ll soon continue – with the Club World Cup, with the Champions League, with the next objective.”

“We still have big intentions,” directed Dreesen towards the team. “I wish you the strength and courage – when we’ve gotten over this disappointment – to look ahead again. We’ve got five games left in the Bundesliga. It’s your title, you’ve deserved to win this title.” In closing, a chant from the Bayern supporters during Wednesday afternoon’s march seemed appropriate: “We’ll win the European Cup and we’ll become German champions!” Since the first part can no longer be tackle again until next season now, the complete focus is on part two. The season should end with one trophy.

The reaction to the match at Inter: