Tensions ran high during the dramatic UEFA Champions League quarterfinal second leg between Inter Milan and Bayern Munich at San Siro as Croatian defender Josip Stanisic found himself at the center of controversy. In the dying moments of the match Bayern were desperately pushing for an equaliser when Stanisic attempted a quick throw-in but ended up shoving a ballboy who was slow in returning the ball.
The shove resulted in a brief confrontation between Bayern Munich players and the Inter Milan bench. Federico Dimarco who had already been substituted received a yellow card for his involvement while Stanisic was not booked for the incident. After the match the 25-year-old admitted his actions were fueled by frustration and labelled them as unnecessary. “Every team tries to waste time when leading It was stupid of me to push him I was just angry at that moment” Stanisic told the German outlet Abendzeitung.
The high-stakes encounter ended in heartbreak for Bayern Munich as Inter advanced to the semifinals with a 4-3 aggregate score. Inter had arrived at the San Siro with a 2-1 advantage from the first leg at the Allianz Arena. Despite Bayern’s energetic start Harry Kane scored a brilliant goal to level the tie 2-2 on aggregate shortly after halftime.
However Inter quickly responded through Lautaro Martinez who scored from a fortunate corner situation before Benjamin Pavard—ironically a former Bayern defender—extended the lead with a powerful header. Bayern clawed one back via a corner as Eric Dier scored with a looping header making it 4-3 on aggregate but the Bundesliga side failed to find the decisive goal to push the match into extra time.
Inter’s victory marks a significant step as they aim to repeat their 2010 treble-winning season under Jose Mourinho. With a lead in Serie A and a Coppa Italia semifinal against AC Milan around the corner Inter are in strong contention for silverware this season. They will now face Barcelona in the Champions League semifinals after the Spanish giants brushed aside Borussia Dortmund 5-3 on aggregate.
In the other semifinal Paris Saint-Germain will take on Arsenal following the Premier League side’s commanding 5-1 aggregate win over reigning champions Real Madrid.
