Reactions have continued to trail the blockbuster Champions League clash between Inter Milan, and Barcelona on Tuesday night which ended in a dramatic 4-3 win for the hosts.
It was a classic Champions League game with fireworks, cracking goals, grit and tears, that left football fans on the edge of their seats for the whole duration, an unforgettable game for Inter Milan, and especially Barcelona fans.
The visitors recovered from a 2-0 deficit in the first half to take a 3-2 lead before Inter Milan fought back to drag the encounter into extra time.
Lautaro Martinez, and Hakan Çalhanoğlu gave Inter Milan a 2-0 lead going into the second half but Eric Garcia, and Dani Olmo brought Barcelona back into the game in the second half.
Raphinha gave Barcelona the lead in the 87th minute with a close range finish from a rebound of his initial effort but Inter Milan had other ideas.
In the 93rd minute, Francesco Acerbi unleashed an unstoppable strike into the bottom corner to force the game into extra time, making it 6-6 on aggregate.
Inter Milan goalkeeper Yan Sommer produced a series of match-winning saves to keep them in the game before Davide Frattesi scored an extra time winner to send Inter Milan to their second Champions League final in three years.
It was a heartbreaking defeat for Barcelona players, who gave everything in the encounter but Inter Milan snatched it at the death.
The tie was the joint-highest scoring semi-final tie in Champions League history, matching the 13 goals scored when Liverpool defeated Roma 7-6 on aggregate in 2017-18.
Barcelona coach, Hansi Flick was disappointed with the result but impressed with his team’s stunning performance.
He said: “I’m very disappointed that we’re out – but I’m not disappointed about the performance of my team. They tried everything.
“We’re out, but next year we’ll start again and we’ll make our fans, the club and everyone around us happy.
“They [Inter] are a really good team, a strong team who defend well but also they have a really good striker.
“In the second half we were really good. I don’t want to speak about the referee but every 50/50 decision was for them. We gave everything but in the end it was like that and that’s what made me a bit sad.
“Inter’s forwards were very good, they held the ball well and are very strong players, but also experienced. We have a young team and we need to improve; our task will be to get better. From every point of view, both defensively and offensively.
“I want to add something, since I also spoke about the referee: I want to wish Inter good luck, because they played a great match, and I want to wish them good luck in Munich.”
Barcelona’s rave of the moment, Lamine Yamal, who impressed over the two legs but was unable to score in Italy was disappointed with the result but promised the team will be back next season.
He said: “We gave it our all — this year it couldn’t be, but we’ll be back, have no doubt about it. Culers, we won’t stop until we put this club where it belongs: at the very top. I will keep my promise and bring it to Barcelona; we won’t stop until we achieve it.
“But Sunday is another final, and we all need to be together. Visca el Barça!”
Inter Milan coach Simone Inzaghi gave credit to Barcelona for their strong performance in the encounter.
He said: “We must compliment Barcelona too, because they are truly a strong opponent.
“It required a super Inter, so I praise my lads for putting in two incredible performances over the two legs. It was the only way to reach the Final. I am so proud to be their coach, as they gave it everything and those who came off the bench had the right attitude too.
“They should enjoy every moment in front of these fans, we are truly happy. They were exemplary. I told the players to believe that we could try to limit Barcelona, even though it wasn’t easy to do. We had Lautaro, Dumfries and Frattesi who were not 100 per cent fit, so we had to use our hearts to push through every obstacle.”
Similarly, Inter Milan captain, Lautaro Martinez was delighted with the team’s performance.
He said: “I am so happy. I am so proud of Inter Milan, I am so grateful to the fans and to my family who are here today.
“I wasn’t in a great place and I wasn’t 100% today, but the medical staff worked so hard to get me match fit.
“We will do what we can – we just have one more step to go. We want to go there and win it. We will do all we can to ensure that we get Inter Milan to the high summit of European football.”
Barcelona will now turn their attention to the La Liga title race where they will be taking on second-placed Real Madrid on Sunday.
The Blaugrana are four points clear of Real Madrid, and a win will further boost their chances of winning a second title in three years.
On the other hand, Inter Milan are three points behind table-toppers Napoli in the Serie A title race, and they have a tough trip to Torino on Sunday.
Inter have reached the UEFA Champions League final for the second time in the last three seasons, having done so in just one of their previous 17 European Cup/Champions League campaigns.
