Even the day after one of football`s most incredible encounters, a sense of awe lingers for those who witnessed the match at San Siro on Tuesday night, as well as millions watching worldwide. The UEFA Champions League semifinal second leg between Inter and Barcelona perfectly encapsulated the essence of the sport we cherish. When Francesco Acerbi scored in the final minute to equalize at 3-3, keeping Inter`s hopes alive, some home fans had already given up and left the stadium, believing the game was decided. They were proven spectacularly wrong. Hearing that the 37-year-old Italian defender had scored his first-ever European goal, they attempted to return but were denied re-entry.
San Siro was absolutely electrifying that night, hosting a moment destined to be etched into football history. The palpable tension among the home supporters before kickoff reflected their awareness that they were about to witness a game that could shape their beloved team`s 2024-25 season. Instead, they were treated to what is rapidly being hailed as one of the greatest matches ever played – an experience those fortunate enough to be present will forever treasure. It was perhaps the most spectacular game played within the walls of one of Italy`s most iconic stadiums.
San Siro, the shared home of both Inter and AC Milan, may be nearing the end of its tenure as a central stage in Italian football. Discussions are underway for the construction of a new stadium for the Milan clubs in the vicinity of the current ground. Fans are divided on the prospect, given San Siro`s undeniable status as one of the world`s most historic venues for attending a football match. Since its construction in 1929, San Siro has hosted countless memorable encounters, witnessing the Milanese giants play crucial roles in the sport`s evolution over the decades. This includes thrilling Champions League ties, such as those on AC Milan`s path to victory in 2003 and 2007, or hosting legends like Marco Van Basten, Ruud Gullit, Roberto Baggio, Ronaldo, and many others who rose to global fame in the 1990s when Italy`s Serie A was considered the world`s premier league. While cataloging every legendary match played here is nearly impossible, the recent clash between Inter and Barcelona already stands out as one of the stadium`s finest.
Often, when discussing the most exciting modern football matches, we highlight dramatic and unexpected comebacks. Famous examples include Barcelona`s `Remontada` against PSG in 2017, Liverpool`s turnaround against Barcelona in 2019, or Roma`s quarterfinal upset of Barcelona in 2018. More recently, Real Madrid became renowned for their sequence of comebacks in the 2022 knockout stages against PSG, Chelsea, and Manchester City en route to winning the final against Liverpool in Paris.
However, Inter`s triumph against Barcelona was fundamentally different; it wasn`t a comeback in the traditional sense.
Across both legs – the thrilling 3-3 draw away and the dramatic 4-3 home victory – the tie remained open and fiercely contested. Inter took a two-goal lead in the first leg only to see Barcelona fight back. A similar pattern unfolded in the second leg: after Inter scored twice, Barcelona responded with three goals before Francesco Acerbi`s late equalizer forced extra time. There was rarely a moment when either team seemed to have complete control, especially during the final minutes of the second half, which only heightened the excitement for viewers worldwide. For those present, breathing the air of San Siro on such an extraordinary night, the stadium`s vibrations were an unforgettable sensation.
In South America, there`s a famous saying about Boca Juniors` home ground, La Bombonera: “It doesn`t tremble, it beats,” describing the feeling of the stadium pulsating during matches. San Siro offered a similar experience on Tuesday. Inter winger Federico Dimarco perfectly captured this unique feeling when speaking to Sky Italy after the victory, conversing with former Inter midfielder Esteban Cambiasso, who was on the pitch the last time Inter defeated Barcelona in a Champions League semifinal under Jose Mourinho in 2010 (a 3-1 win). Dimarco remarked, “I hear that other stadiums are chaotic, but nothing compares to San Siro.”
