MILAN — It’s not a common sight for a goalkeeper to earn the title of player of the match, especially when conceding three goals in a game. Yet, Inter Milan’s Yann Sommer achieved this remarkable feat during a breathtaking 4-3 win over Barcelona. The victory propelled the Italian team to the Champions League final with a 7-6 aggregate win after extra time.
Sommer’s performance against Barcelona was nothing short of incredible, as he delivered numerous saves that defied belief in a match packed with chaotic and thrilling moments. The game surpassed the excitement of the previous 3-3 draw, truly embodying Inter’s nickname, “pazza (mad) Inter.”
His brilliant reflex save thwarted Eric García’s effort early in the second half, amidst a Barcelona comeback from two goals down. Another highlight was his acrobatic leap to divert a curling shot from Lamine Yamal out of the top corner, maintaining the 2-2 scoreline.
Sommer reserved his best for near the end of the match when he once again soared to redirect another attempt by the impressive young Barcelona talent around his post. With just seven minutes left in extra time and Inter leading 4-3, his teammates celebrated as if another goal had been scored.
“I’m very happy. It was an amazing match, and the team has gone on an extraordinary journey,” Sommer said. “The toughest save was the last one because Yamal is really strong and always comes inside to shoot. It was perhaps the most crucial save, providing us with confidence for the closing moments.”
At 36, Sommer is relishing the spotlight, perhaps in one of his most significant moments since famously saving Kylian Mbappé’s penalty to help Switzerland defeat France in the 2020 European Championship shootout.
He might even be in the running for more prestigious recognition, with speculation surrounding his potential candidacy for the Ballon d’Or, as hinted by Spanish sports newspaper Marca.
“I could not be happier than now,” Sommer stated. “We as a team, and I as well, have worked hard for these moments, for these situations, for these games, to be in a club like this. Ultimately, I’m here with this wonderful team and we are in the Champions League final.”
Inter Milan has now reached the Champions League final for the second time in three years, and having triumphed over formidable opponents, Simone Inzaghi’s squad might well be the favorite against either Paris Saint-Germain or Arsenal in the final, set in Munich on May 31.
Two years prior, despite low expectations against Manchester City, Inter narrowly lost with a 1-0 scoreline. This time, even Inzaghi acknowledged that Inter may be favored after dispatching not just Barcelona but also Bayern Munich in the quarterfinals.
“We have grown since then,” Inzaghi remarked. “These players have been extraordinary, and we must continue. The final will be against a truly great team, whether it’s Arsenal or PSG. It will be challenging, but after defeating Barcelona and Bayern, which are among the best teams in Europe at the moment, we remain optimistic.”