The fact that the 2-1 (1-0) defeat to Inter Milan late on Tuesday evening in Munich was painful – but no more than the first leg of a nerve-wracking, exciting and high-class encounter should be – was made unmistakably clear by the Südkurve immediately after the end of the game. Before going into the dressing room, the FC Bayern team had once again stepped in front of the fences that separate the crowd in the Allianz Arena from the pitch. They wanted to thank the fans for their vocal, incessant and even impressive support before kick-off: with a colorful choreography, the Bayern fans got into the mood for this quarter-final first leg in the Champions League. Now it was time to put this match, which had come to an unfortunate end for all Bayern fans, into context. The supporters had to gather themselves briefly, then dumped another truckload of energy onto the pitch – in the hope that the players would soak it up, load it onto the team bus and take it to the Giuseppe Meazza Stadium in a week's time. It is there that the all-important second part will take place.
“It’s going to be pandemonium”
“It's going to be pandemonium”, said Inter playmaker Hakan Çalhanoglu, hinting at what FC Bayern could expect in Milan. However, despite the poorer starting position and the certainty of huge support for Inter behind them, FC Bayern had no intention of losing heart. “We know that there's definitely still a lot to play for,” said a confident Thomas Müller, for example, just minutes after the special Südkurve energy boost – and there was firm determination in his eyes.
Müller, of all people, was the one to score the equaliser; and this only days after the announcement that the attacker would part ways with the club of his heart at the end of the season after so many years. Müller made the most of a fierce period of pressure in the second half, when, as in the first half, attacks were suddenly rolling towards Inter's goal like waves in a storm. The Bayern veteran snuck in behind the Milan defence and swept in a perfectly weighted cross from the industrious Konrad Laimer over the line to make it 1-1 (85').
It was, mind you, only the third goal Inter had ever conceded in this Champions League season. “We have to get a good result today against a team that can defend very well and is also savvy and does the right things at the right moments,” said Max Eberl, FC Bayern board member for sport, before kick-off. And that is exactly what happened.
Inter initially attempted to press FC Bayern with possession, slow down the tempo and control the rhythm of the game themselves. However, as the hosts increasingly found their footing, the visitors, who repeatedly made offensive pinpricks, began to concentrate on their main discipline: standing deep and defending.
Inter held their defense line well in front of their own box; at times, World Cup winner Lautaro Martínez, supposedly the most offensive Nerazzuri, was just 20 meters from his own goal. “We want to play aggressively against them, really step on the gas and keep our foot on the gas pedal for 90 minutes,” promised Leon Goretzka. FC Bayern, who had to cope with the absence of key players such as Jamal Musiala, Manuel Neuer, Dayot Upamecano, Alphonso Davies and Kingsley Coman, created a number of goalscoring opportunities. More, almost, than Inter has had to face all season – at least so it seemed.
But either the chances were blocked by Yann Sommer in the visitors' goal or Inter were helped by a stroke of luck when Harry Kane, wonderfully teed up by the astonishing Michael Olise, hit the post (26') – it was Bayern's ninth time hitting the woodwork in the Champions League this season.
The game took an unfair course
“If Harry’s shot goes in,” said an annoyed Thomas Müller, “we'd take a 1-0 lead, and the game would probably turn out differently.” Given the balance of power in the first half, however, it was an unfair result: Martínez scored the only shot on target with his seventh goal in ten Champions League games, with the outside of his foot, unstoppable for Jonas Urbig in the Bayern goal. Marcus Thuram had played a low cross to his captain to assist him (39').
That had also been possible because the hosts' immense pressure abruptly subsided after Kane’s shot hit the post – it would take over 30 minutes of play for FC Bayern to find their way back into their dominant pressing, which “made Inter suffer”, as goalkeeper Sommer aptly put it. Like in handball, FC Bayern formed up around the visitors' goal with all outfield players in Inter's half, searching diligently for the one gap – which was only then found by substitute Müller. The relief, indeed, the relief at this deserved equaliser released so much energy and volume that the goal celebration could probably still be heard on the southern shore of Lake Tegernsee, some 30 miles south of Munich. The good starting position for part two of this special encounter now seemed within reach again.
And so, FC Bayern continued to press the visitors' goal in the hope of forcing a second goal with the power and energy of the sold-out Allianz Arena – but the goal came at the other end. A single lapse of concentration at the back was enough to allow Inter, who were busy defending until they almost dropped, to counterattack once more. Substitute Davide Frattesi finished off a sharp cross into the heart of Bayern from close range, sealing the match 1-2 (88').
However, courage, determination and self-confidence quickly returned after a brief moment of shock, not least thanks to the energy wave from the Südkurve: "We definitely have a chance of winning in Milan. We have enough quality and resources to beat them," said Konrad Laimer. “The last goal we conceded is annoying, of course, but we'll get our chances in Milan,” promised Vincent Kompany. After all, there has never been a team that has said after going 2-1 down in the first leg: ‘Let's go home, there's no point anymore’, reminded the head coach. Indeed, quite the opposite: “We believe in our chances, even if it will be difficult,” said Kompany.
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