Davide Frattesi propelled Inter Milan into the UEFA Champions League final with a dramatic extra-time strike that sealed a stunning 4-3 victory over Barcelona on Tuesday night, edging the Italian giants through 7-6 on aggregate after one of the most unforgettable ties in tournament history.
The Italy international struck in the 99th minute under a torrential downpour at the San Siro, sending the home crowd into delirium. Frattesi’s goal — his seventh of the season — capped off a pulsating contest that saw momentum swing wildly and Inter come back from the brink of elimination.
The 24-year-old midfielder latched onto a loose ball and rifled home past a sprawling Marc-André ter Stegen. The eruption of joy in the stadium echoed across Milan, a city that just weeks ago saw Inter’s treble hopes dashed.
Simone Inzaghi’s men will now travel to Munich at the end of May, where they will face either Arsenal or Paris Saint-Germain in pursuit of their fourth European crown. It marks Inter’s second Champions League final appearance in three seasons and a dramatic turnaround in a campaign that seemed to be losing steam.
The Nerazzurri had already bowed out of the Coppa Italia to bitter rivals AC Milan and recently surrendered top spot in Serie A to Napoli, but Tuesday’s spectacle offered redemption in the most dramatic fashion.
Barcelona, chasing a historic quadruple, looked poised to advance after a second-half resurgence. Goals from Eric Garcia and Dani Olmo leveled the tie before Raphinha’s 88th-minute strike gave Barca a 3-2 lead on the night.
But Inter, against the run of play, struck back through Francesco Acerbi in stoppage time. The veteran defender bundled in Denzel Dumfries’ cross, halting premature celebrations among Barcelona supporters and forcing the game into extra time.
Goalkeeper Yann Sommer played a pivotal role in keeping Inter’s hopes alive. The Swiss international made a jaw-dropping save from Garcia during a blistering counterattack, then denied Lamine Yamal in the 113th minute, moments after the teenager rattled the post.
As the final whistle blew, the San Siro erupted — the roar of the crowd a fitting end to a Champions League classic. Inter now dreams of European glory once more, with Frattesi’s heroics etching his name into club folklore.
Now it remains to be seen whether Inter can go all the way in Munich.
