Inter Milan’s Yann Sommer hails ‘special’ save on Lamine Yamal
Inter Milan goalkeeper Yann Sommer calls his save against Lamine Yamal “special” after beating Barcelona in the Champions League semifinals.
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Sommer calls save on Yamal “special”
Sommer tipped Yamal’s 114th-minute curling effort wide, before Frattesi’s extra-time goal sealed Inter’s 4-3 victory and a place in the Champions League final.
Inter prevailed 7-6 on aggregate in front of a raucous home crowd at San Siro.
“I’m very happy, it was an incredible match,” Sommer told Sky Italia. “The team did something tremendous tonight.”
Internazionale coach Simone Inzaghi previously mentioned that stopping the 17-year-old Yamal would be the key for his side to reach the UCL final.
And they did just that.
“The last save from Lamine was a very special one,” Sommer added.
“He’s a great player who always goes inside and shoots. I’m very happy it didn’t go in. This match shows that we believe until the end. Look at what [Francesco] Acerbi did, equalising in the 93rd minute. We believed until the end.”
Proud of Inter’s performance
Lautaro Martínez and Hakan Calhanoglu gave Inter the edge with first-half goals.
However, Eric Garcíi and Dani Olmo hit back after the break as Barcelona fought their way level for a third time in the tie.
Raphinha’s 87th-minute strike put the LaLiga leaders ahead for the first time and seemed to have sealed Inter’s fate.
But veteran defender Francesco Acerbi had other ideas, sending the match into extra time before Frattesi struck the decisive goal to secure a dramatic victory.
Inter clinched their second Champions League final in three years.
“We must compliment Barcelona as well, because they are really a strong opponent,” Inzaghi said in a news conference.
“It required a great Inter, so I praise my team for putting in two incredible performances over the two legs. It was the only way to reach the final.”
“I am so proud and happy to be their coach. They gave me everything they had. It’s right that they enjoy their success in this stadium.”
“They should enjoy every moment in front of these fans. 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, who has been out for a week, [Denzel] Dumfries and [Marcus] Thuram back after two weeks out, Frattesi wasn’t able to train yesterday.”
“They were not 100% fit, so we had to use our hearts to push through every obstacle.”
Inter will meet either Arsenal or Paris Saint-Germain in the final.
