Inter overturned their first-leg loss at San Siro and a 3-1 aggregate deficit on the night as they earned a last-gasp 3-2 victory over Bayern Munich and booked their spot in the Champions League quarterfinals on away goals after the tie ended 3-3 overall.
It took less than four minutes for the Nerazzurri to get their away goal, a typical poacher's finish by Samuel Eto'o after the Cameroonian was played in by Goran Pandev.
In the 21st minute, Bayern drew levelled with a little help from Julio Cesar, who spilled Arjen Robben's long-ranged blast before Mario Gomez netted from a clever overhead kick. Ten minutes later, Dejan Stankovic deflected Robben's through ball into the path of Thomas Mueller, who flicked the ball over the on-rushing Cesar with the outside of his right foot to make it 2-1, and handed Bayern what looked like a comprehensive 3-1 aggregate advantage.
The match changed considerably in the second half, however, as Inter grew in confidence. Wesley Sneijder fired in a gorgeous daisycutter on 63 minutes to restore parity on the night, and the Nerazzurri looked the more dangerous side from then on. Goran Pandev settled the tie on 88 minutes with a brilliant finish into the top corner from the edge of the penalty area.
After struggling in the opening minutes, the hosts drew great confidence from Gomez's goal, and created more than enough clear chances to score a third goal. Franck Ribery skipped past Andrea Ranocchia on 35 minutes but Cesar atoned for his earlier mistake with a tremendous save. Shortly thereafter, Gomez had his effort roll across the goal line before Ranocchia's clearance deflected off the post. Robben was through on goal two minutes before the break, but only managed to hit the side netting.
For their part, Inter had enough opportunities to reclaim the lead, but Stankovic missed wide from the centre of the penalty box. Sneijder also came close from a free kick, but his dipping effort was over the bar.
In the second half, the hosts were comparatively flat in attack, and Gomez's saved volley on 62 minutes was their only real chance on goal to make it 3-2. Sneijder's strike, coupled with Robben's substitution on 68 minutes, marked the teams' role reversal. On 67 minutes, Pandev fired over the bar, but the Macedonian made no mistake with his brilliantly struck winner.
The result sees Inter through to the quarter-finals again as Serie A's flagship team. Bayern failed to avenge last season's final defeat as they crash to Inter for the second consecutive year, and will be without silverware in 2011.
Source: Goal.com
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