Holders Inter hit back to bury Bayern

Posted Wednesday, March 16, 2011 by UK.eurosport.yahoo.com

Goran Pandev scored two minutes from time as holders Internazionale came from behind to reach the Champions League last eight with a remarkable 3-2 win over Bayern Munich in Germany.

The outstanding Samuel Eto'o rolled the ball into the path of Pandev to slam the ball high beyond home goalkeeper Thomas Kraft as Inter progressed 3-3 on away goals over the two legs having lost the first leg 1-0 in Milan.

Pandev's clincher completed an astonishing turnaround after Bayern had opened up a 2-1 lead at half-time in the second leg of a last-16 tie that saw both sides struggle to cope defensively.

Eto'o had given Inter a dream start at Bayern's Allianz Arena when he netted the opener from Pandev's pass on two minutes only for Mario Gomez to equalise on 21 minutes after an awful mistake by the visiting keeper Julio Cesar, who fumbled Arjen Robben's shot from outside of the box to let Gomez in.

Bayern could have been three or four goals ahead at the break, but were forced to settle for Thomas Mueller's crisp finish on 31 minutes after the ball had landed kindly off an Inter boot from Robben's pass.

The visiting side were a lot sharper in the second period and levelled on the night at 2-2 when Wesley Sneijder converted from Eto'o's pass from the edge of the box to set up a grandstand finish.

Inter became only the second side to secure progress in the knock-out stages of the Champions League having lost the first leg.

Ironically, Bayern's outgoing head coach Louis van Gaal managed the feat during his days at Ajax.

Franck Ribery subjected Maicon to a tortuous evening, but the Frenchman will rue missing the chance that would surely have sealed the tie on 32 minutes.

Ribery could have opted to drag the ball past Cesar, but went for goal as the Inter keeper made a stunning stop to nudge the shot over his bar from inside the area.

Inter's defence was all over the place and Andrea Ranocchia was desperately fortunate to see the ball spin off a post and back out after he challenged for the loose ball with Mueller.

Ranocchia then presented the ball to Robben on a plate five minutes before half-time only for the Dutch winger to slam his shot into the side of the net. Bayern would live to regret such wastefulness.

Inter were thankful for Cesar's reflexes on 62 minutes when he somehow clawed out a volley from Gomez after some inspired wide play by Ribery.

Inter brought on Philippe Countinho for Dejan Stankovic and that change worked a treat as the Italian side, led by the elusive Eto'o and Sneijder, began to exploit the growing gaps in the home defence.

Eto'o has scored eight and supplied three of Inter's total of 13 goals in the Champions League.

Sneijder's raking shot from 25 yards left Kraft with no chance while Pandev's clinching goal was equally as clinical.

While Inter coach Leonardo could not contain his joy at the final whistle, there must be doubts over whether Van Gaal will see out the season at Bayern, such was the galling nature of his side's exit. The Bundesliga title has slipped from their grasp and so has the Champions League.

Bayern failed to avenge their Champions League final defeat by Inter last year which brought the Nerazzurri their first European crown in 45 years and third overall. Two Diego Milito goals secured a victory for Inter that night in Madrid.

It is not beyond the realms of possibility that they could emulate that achievement at Wembley in May, but they will have to defend better.