The world of football is no stranger to thrilling encounters, but few matchups capture the imagination quite like Bayern Munich vs Inter Milan lineups. In the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League quarterfinals, these two European giants faced off in a tie that lived up to every bit of hype. With Bayern Munich’s attacking prowess clashing against Inter Milan’s defensive solidity, the Bayern Munich vs Inter Milan lineups became a focal point for fans and analysts alike.
The Historical Context: A Rivalry Renewed
To fully appreciate the Bayern Munich vs Inter Milan lineups in this recent tie, we must first look back at the history between these clubs. Bayern Munich and Inter Milan have crossed paths multiple times in European competitions, most notably in the 2010 Champions League final, where Inter triumphed 2-0 under Jose Mourinho. That match featured iconic Bayern Munich vs Inter Milan lineups, with stars like Arjen Robben for Bayern and Diego Milito for Inter stealing the show.
The rivalry has evolved. Bayern, perennial Bundesliga champions, have dominated German football with their high-pressing style, while Inter, Serie A powerhouses, have rebuilt into a resilient unit under Simone Inzaghi. The Bayern Munich vs Inter Milan lineups in past encounters often highlighted contrasting philosophies: Bayern’s fluid 4-2-3-1 versus Inter’s compact 3-5-2. In group stages of previous seasons, like 2022/23, Bayern edged out Inter, but the Italians always posed a threat with their counter-attacks.
This historical backdrop set the stage for the 2024/25 quarterfinals. Fans eagerly anticipated the Bayern Munich vs Inter Milan lineups, wondering if Bayern’s injury-hit squad could overcome Inter’s in-form stars. The tie promised drama, and it delivered, with aggregate scores reflecting the razor-thin margins in elite football.
Build-Up to the Quarterfinal Tie
Leading into the matches, speculation swirled around the Bayern Munich vs Inter Milan lineups. Bayern Munich, under manager Vincent Kompany, faced challenges with injuries to key players like Jamal Musiala, forcing adjustments in their attacking setup. Inter Milan, meanwhile, boasted a fully fit squad, with Lautaro Martinez in scintillating form after a prolific Serie A campaign.
Media outlets buzzed with predictions. Would Harry Kane lead Bayern’s charge, or would Inter’s back three neutralize him? The Bayern Munich vs Inter Milan lineups were dissected on podcasts and forums, with experts noting Bayern’s reliance on midfield maestros like Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka. For Inter, the wing-back roles of Matteo Darmian and Federico Dimarco were seen as crucial for exploiting Bayern’s flanks.
The first leg at the Allianz Arena on April 8, 2025, was billed as a tactical chess match. Bayern, playing at home, aimed to secure an advantage, while Inter looked to absorb pressure and strike on the break. As kickoff approached, the revealed Bayern Munich vs Inter Milan lineups confirmed the expected formations, setting the tone for an intense 90 minutes.
First Leg: Bayern Munich vs Inter Milan at Allianz Arena
The first leg kicked off with high stakes, and the Bayern Munich vs Inter Milan lineups did not disappoint. Bayern Munich lined up in their familiar 4-2-3-1 formation:
- Goalkeeper: Jonas Urbig
- Defenders: Konrad Laimer (RB), Eric Dier (CB), Kim Min-jae (CB), Josip Stanisic (LB)
- Midfielders: Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka
- Attacking Midfielders: Michael Olise, Raphaël Guerreiro, Leroy Sané
- Forward: Harry Kane
This setup emphasized Bayern’s attacking depth, with Olise and Sané providing width and Kane as the focal point.
Inter Milan countered with a 3-5-2:
- Goalkeeper: Yann Sommer
- Defenders: Benjamin Pavard, Francesco Acerbi, Alessandro Bastoni
- Wing-backs: Matteo Darmian (RWB), Federico Dimarco (LWB)
- Midfielders: Nicolò Barella, Hakan Çalhanoglu, Henrikh Mkhitaryan
- Forwards: Marcus Thuram, Lautaro Martínez (c)
Inter’s lineup highlighted their defensive resilience, with the back three tasked with containing Kane, while Barella and Çalhanoglu controlled the midfield.
The match started with Bayern dominating possession, but a glaring miss by Kane—hitting the post from close range—kept the score level. Inter struck first in the 37th minute when Martínez finished a brilliant team move, assisted by Thuram’s backheel. Half-time score: 0-1.
In the second half, Bayern pushed forward, equalizing in the 84th minute through substitute Thomas Müller, who prodded home a cross from Laimer. However, Inter regained the lead just five minutes later via Davide Frattesi, who crashed in a close-range effort after a quick counter. Final score: Bayern Munich 1-2 Inter Milan.
Substitutions played a key role. Bayern brought on Müller, Serge Gnabry, and Sacha Boey in the 76th minute, injecting energy. Inter responded with Frattesi for Mkhitaryan (76′), Yann Bisseck for Darmian (78′), and Nicola Zalewski for Martínez (90′). Yellow cards went to Mkhitaryan (71′), Martínez (53′), Frattesi (90′), and Zalewski (93′).
This result gave Inter a slender advantage heading into the second leg, making the Bayern Munich vs Inter Milan lineups for the return fixture even more intriguing.
Second Leg: Inter Milan vs Bayern Munich at San Siro
With the tie on a knife-edge, the second leg on April 16, 2025, at the Giuseppe Meazza Stadium saw slight tweaks to the Bayern Munich vs Inter Milan lineups. Inter stuck with their 3-5-2:
- Goalkeeper: Yann Sommer
- Defenders: Benjamin Pavard, Francesco Acerbi, Alessandro Bastoni
- Wing-backs: Matteo Darmian (RWB), Federico Dimarco (LWB)
- Midfielders: Nicolò Barella, Hakan Çalhanoglu, Henrikh Mkhitaryan
- Forwards: Marcus Thuram, Lautaro Martínez (c)
Bayern, seeking to overturn the deficit, fielded a similar 4-2-3-1 but started Müller in place of Guerreiro:
- Goalkeeper: Jonas Urbig
- Defenders: Konrad Laimer (RB), Eric Dier (CB), Kim Min-jae (CB), Josip Stanisic (LB)
- Midfielders: Leon Goretzka, Joshua Kimmich
- Attacking Midfielders: Michael Olise, Thomas Müller (c), Leroy Sané
- Forward: Harry Kane
This change aimed to add experience and pressing intensity.
The first half was cagey, with both teams probing but no goals. Bayern broke the deadlock in the 52nd minute when Kane scored, leveling the aggregate. Inter responded swiftly: Martínez equalized in the 58th minute, followed by Pavard’s header in the 61st to put Inter ahead on aggregate again. Bayern pulled one back in the 76th minute through Dier’s set-piece goal, but it wasn’t enough. Final score: Inter Milan 2-2 Bayern Munich (Aggregate: Inter 4-3 Bayern).
Substitutions were frantic. For Inter: Marko Arnautović for Çalhanoglu (61′), Carlos Zopalato Neves for Dimarco (73′), Mehdi Taremi for Martínez (81′), Bisseck for Bastoni (87′), Frattesi for Barella (88′). For Bayern: Gnabry for Kim and Guerreiro for Sané (65′), Aleksandar Pavlović for Goretzka (83′), Kingsley Coman for Laimer (84′). Yellow cards: 2 per team, though specifics were limited in reports.
Inter advanced to the semifinals, showcasing why their Bayern Munich vs Inter Milan lineups were perfectly balanced for high-stakes football.
Full Scorecard Breakdown
For a detailed look at the performances, here’s a full scorecard breakdown for both legs. This table summarizes goals, assists, cards, and key stats, ensuring equal column distribution for clarity.
| Aspect | First Leg (Bayern 1-2 Inter) | Second Leg (Inter 2-2 Bayern) | Aggregate Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Final Score | Bayern Munich 1-2 Inter Milan | Inter Milan 2-2 Bayern Munich | Inter 4-3 Bayern |
| Goals & Scorers | – Inter: Lautaro Martínez (37′) – Bayern: Thomas Müller (84′) – Inter: Davide Frattesi (89′) | – Bayern: Harry Kane (52′) – Inter: Lautaro Martínez (58′) – Inter: Benjamin Pavard (61′) – Bayern: Eric Dier (76′) | Martínez (2 goals total), Kane (1), others (1 each) |
| Assists | – Martínez goal: Marcus Thuram – Müller goal: Konrad Laimer – Frattesi goal: Carlos Augusto | – Kane goal: Michael Olise – Martínez goal: Hakan Çalhanoglu – Pavard goal: Federico Dimarco (corner) – Dier goal: Joshua Kimmich (free-kick) | Key playmakers: Thuram, Laimer, Augusto, Olise, Çalhanoglu, Dimarco, Kimmich |
| Yellow Cards | – Inter: Henrikh Mkhitaryan (71′), Lautaro Martínez (53′), Davide Frattesi (90′), Nicola Zalewski (93′) | – Inter: 2 (details limited) – Bayern: 2 (details limited) | Total: Inter 6, Bayern 2 across legs |
| Red Cards | None | None | No ejections |
| Substitutions | – Bayern: Müller, Gnabry, Boey (76′) – Inter: Frattesi (76′), Bisseck (78′), Zalewski (90′) | – Inter: Arnautović (61′), Neves (73′), Taremi (81′), Bisseck (87′), Frattesi (88′) – Bayern: Gnabry & Guerreiro (65′), Pavlović (83′), Coman (84′) | Impact subs: Müller (scored), Frattesi (scored) |
| Possession | Bayern 62% – Inter 38% | Inter 38% – Bayern 62% | Bayern dominated ball |
| Shots (On Target) | Bayern 18 (6) – Inter 12 (5) | Inter 15 (6) – Bayern 20 (6) | Even on target shots |
| Corners | Bayern 7 – Inter 4 | Inter 5 – Bayern 6 | Close set-piece battles |
| Fouls | Bayern 10 – Inter 14 | Inter 12 – Bayern 11 | Physical encounters |
| Saves | Urbig 3 – Sommer 5 | Sommer 4 – Urbig 4 | Goalkeepers shone |
Key Players and Performances
Diving deeper into the Bayern Munich vs Inter Milan lineups, several players stood out. For Bayern, Harry Kane was pivotal, scoring in the second leg and nearly turning the tie single-handedly. His movement and finishing exemplified why he’s a cornerstone of Bayern’s attack. Joshua Kimmich’s distribution was masterful, with over 80% pass accuracy across both legs.
On Inter’s side, Lautaro Martínez was the hero, netting in both matches and leading the line with poise. His partnership with Thuram created chaos for Bayern’s defense. Benjamin Pavard, the ex-Bayern man, scored crucially in the second leg, adding irony to the narrative. The midfield battle saw Barella’s energy outshine Goretzka’s in key moments.
Substitutes like Frattesi and Müller proved game-changers, highlighting the depth in these Bayern Munich vs Inter Milan lineups. Overall, individual brilliance met collective effort, making this tie a masterclass in modern football.
Tactical Insights and Analysis
Tactically, the Bayern Munich vs Inter Milan lineups showcased contrasting styles. Bayern’s high press aimed to suffocate Inter, but Inzaghi’s men absorbed it well, using quick transitions. In the first leg, Inter’s 3-5-2 allowed wing-backs to stretch the play, exposing Bayern’s full-backs.
Bayern adjusted in the second leg by starting Müller for added pressing, but Inter’s compact shape limited spaces. Set-pieces were decisive, with Dier’s goal coming from a free-kick. Possession stats favored Bayern, but Inter’s efficiency in front of goal won the day.
Analysts noted Bayern’s injury issues hampered their rotation, while Inter’s squad depth allowed fresh legs. This tactical duel in the Bayern Munich vs Inter Milan lineups underscores why Champions League ties are won on margins.
Post-Match Reactions and Legacy
Post-tie, reactions poured in. Kompany praised his team’s fight but lamented missed chances. Inzaghi hailed Inter’s resilience, crediting the Bayern Munich vs Inter Milan lineups for their execution. Fans on social media debated the officiating, but the consensus was a fair result.
This tie adds to the legacy of Bayern Munich vs Inter Milan encounters, reminding us of football’s unpredictability. As Inter advances, the lessons from these lineups will influence future strategies.
Conclusion
Bayern Munich vs Inter Milan lineups in this 2024/25 Champions League quarterfinal epitomized elite competition. From historical roots to tactical nuances, this clash delivered drama, goals, and unforgettable moments. Whether analyzing the full scorecard breakdown or key performances, it’s clear why this matchup captivates the global audience.
Read Also:
