Kane falters, but Frattesi scores, as Inter snatches 2-1 first-leg win over Bayern

MUNICH — Inter Milan's treble chances are still very much on after it won 2-1 at Bayern Munich in the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinals on Tuesday to inflict the German team's first home defeat in the competition in almost exactly four years.

Lautaro Martinez scored in the first half, shortly after Harry Kane had hit the woodwork for Bayern in an uncharacteristic miss that had the England forward clutching his face in disbelief.

Substitute Thomas Muller, who announced on Saturday that he was leaving the German club at the end of the season, appeared to have rescued a 1-1 draw for Bayern with an equalizer five minutes from time, but Davide Frattesi scored the winner three minutes later.

"Tonight wasn't a walk in the park, and we weren't expecting one," Mueller told broadcaster Prime Video. "We had a fair few chances, but unfortunately, the last counter makes it 2-1.

" (Or) else it's 1-1, a good fightback and the Mueller story would have played out. I'll have to complain to Inter."

The result ended Bayern's 22-match unbeaten home run in Europe — a streak stretching back to April 7, 2021, against Paris Saint-Germain — and maintained Inter's hopes of returning to the same stadium for the Champions League final on May 31.

But, first up it has to face Bayern at the San Siro in the return leg next Wednesday, with the winner playing either Barcelona or Borussia Dortmund in the semifinals.

"It's a great sign, above all for us," said Inter defender Alessandro Bastoni, who was named player of the match by UEFA. "We have great self-esteem, and we know that we can do great things if we play like this.

"Maybe, from an individual point of view, there are teams that have more talent, that are stronger than us. But, playing together, we can cause problems for anyone."

Arsenal stunned Real Madrid 3-0 in Tuesday's other game, leaving the English team on the verge of a semifinal matchup against either Aston Villa or PSG.

Inter had lost its last two meetings with Bayern 2-0 in the Champions League group stage in 2022-23 — the season the Italian team went on to reach the final.

However, it did beat Bayern in the 2010 final to clinch a Champions League, Serie A and Italian Cup treble — something the Nerazzurri are looking to repeat this year.

Bayern was decimated by injuries, including attacking midfielder Jamal Musiala after the Germany star tore a hamstring last weekend. Inter also had several players out.

Kane was looking to add to his tally of 10 Champions League goals this season, and he should have done so in the 26th minute. The Bayern fans were practically already celebrating when the ball came to him on the left side of the area, completely unmarked, but he curled the ball onto the outside of the far post.

Kane fell to his knees with hands on his face in disbelief.

While Bayern's star forward missed, there was to be no such mistake by his counterpart for Inter 10 minutes later, in a move started and finished by Argentine Lautaro.

The 2022 World Cup winner gathered the ball in the center circle and sent Carlos Augusto down the left. The Brazilian defender then crossed for Marcus Thuram to flick it backwards to an onrushing Lautaro, who smashed it into the roof of the net.

It was Lautaro's sixth goal in his past four Champions League matches.

Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany said his side "fully believes" in its chances to overturn the deficit.

"In the first half, we were very dominant. We had clear chances and should have scored more goals," Kompany told reporters.

"Inter is ahead, but we need to win in Milan. Results aren't always fair, but it's halftime.

"We were confident, and it's a shame Inter scored this late goal, but we'll have the chance again in Milan, that's how we feel. We fully believe in our chances in Milan."

Kane agreed, saying: "There are 90 minutes to play, and we've got the players to turn it around.

"Inter celebrated like they won the tie there at the end, but it's all there to play for. We created enough opportunities to hurt them, and, if we do the same next week, we can turn it around."

Agencies