SAN SIRO SHOWDOWN: CAN INTER HOLD OFF BAYERN'S HISTORIC AWAY RECORD?

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Internazionale v Bayern Munich (aggregate score: 2-1) April 16, 2025

The iconic San Siro stadium prepares to host a nail-biting conclusion to one of the Champions League's most intriguing quarter-final ties. Internazionale, carrying a slender 2-1 advantage from their historic victory at the Allianz Arena, face a Bayern Munich side that has never lost at this venue in European competition.

The head-to-head record between these European giants is perfectly balanced in recent years. The last six meetings between Internazionale and Bayern Munich in the Champions League have seen both sides win three times each, though home advantage has rarely been decisive. Only one of those six victories was achieved by the home team (Bayern winning 2-0 at the Allianz Arena in November 2022).

History strongly favors the visitors when it comes to matches at the San Siro. Bayern Munich have won all four of their away games against Internazionale in European competition, including all three in the Champions League without conceding a single goal (2-0 in 2006, 1-0 in 2011, and 2-0 in 2022). This represents Inter's longest losing streak at home to any opponent across all European competitions.

"We've made history by ending Bayern's 22-game unbeaten run at the Allianz Arena, but we know the job is only half done," said Inter manager. "They have a perfect record here and we need to break that streak too."

Despite the historical disadvantage at home, Inter's overall record when winning the first leg is formidable. The Nerazzurri have progressed from 21 of their previous 23 knockout stage ties in the European Cup/Champions League after winning the first leg. One of those two eliminations did come last season, however, losing on penalties against Atlético Madrid in the last 16, after winning 1-0 in the first leg.

Bayern Munich's recent record when losing the first leg offers some hope to the German champions. They have only progressed from one of their last eight Champions League knockout stage ties after losing the first leg, although that did come in the most recent instance (3-1 on aggregate v Lazio in the last 16 last season).

Current form strongly favors the Italian side at home. Internazionale are unbeaten in their last 14 home games in the Champions League (12 wins, 2 draws). This is now the longest current run in the competition, after they ended Bayern Munich's 22-game streak at the Allianz Arena in the first leg.

The tactical battle promises to be fascinating. In the first leg, Inter applied 573 high-intensity pressures against Bayern Munich - the most by any team in a Champions League game this season. Meanwhile, Bayern have the best expected goal difference in the competition this season (+19.3 – 32.6 xG for, 13.3 xG against), though their actual goal difference is just +13 (29 scored, 16 conceded). This represents the biggest negative difference of any side to qualify from the league phase (-6.3).

Individual milestones are also at stake. Inter's talisman Lautaro Martínez has scored in each of his last four Champions League games and could become the first Internazionale player to net in five consecutive appearances in the competition. The Argentine (7 goals) is chasing Inter legends Hernán Crespo (9 goals in 2002-03) and Samuel Eto'o (8 goals in 2010-11) for the club's single-season Champions League scoring record.

For Bayern, Thomas Müller (162 appearances) could equal Lionel Messi (163) for Champions League appearances, leaving him only behind Cristiano Ronaldo (183) and Iker Casillas (177) overall. Müller scored in the first leg, becoming the oldest player to score in a knockout stage game in the competition for Bayern Munich (35 years, 207 days).

Former Bayern defender Benjamin Pavard could make his 50th Champions League appearance for Inter (currently on 49). With 40 wins from his 49 games to date (5 draws, 4 losses), this would already make him one of the most successful players in terms of win percentage in the competition's history.

"We respect Inter's current form, but our record at San Siro speaks for itself," said Bayern's coach. "We know what it takes to win in Milan, and we're ready to make another comeback in this competition."

Will Internazionale's home fortress remain impenetrable, or will Bayern Munich's perfect San Siro record continue? The stage is set for a classic European night with a place in the Champions League semi-finals at stake.

We thank OPTA for providing the statistical data. Photo: source XYZ


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