Bayern tame Inter Milan in San Siro

With astonishing superiority, with physical strength and superior control of the game, Bayern Munich beat Inter Milan at San Siro this Wednesday without a hitch, in what was a declaration of intent from the German team in this ‘Group of Death’.

An entire Inter-Bayern opened the Champions League in ‘La Cattedrale’ of Italian football. A clash inevitably reminiscent of that 2010 final at the Santiago Bernabeu, but when the 90 minutes were up it became clear those times were behind Inter.

The match started with undeniable German dominance. Bayern imposed their rhythm with high pressure on the man and with Kimmich and Sabitzer splitting the game from midfield. Despite the intensity of the Bavarians, Inter tried from behind and rarely made it past the first pressure lines, but were forced to move to Plan B with Onana throwing balls over 50 yards to Dzeko, who battled De Ligt, without much success.

Possession and danger belonged to Bayern, who defeated the ‘Nerazzurri’ with fast ball circulations and with the constant punishment of Mané, Sané and Davies who attacked the space of a disoriented interista defense that was hesitating between retreating to equalize in the race the foul of Munich or take the line and take offside.

The first clear warning came in the 22nd minute at the hands of Muller, with a shot from the edge of the field forcing Onana to take a spectacular hand to hold the tie. Muller’s chance was the starting signal.

Inter could do little against the German roller. Local resistance at the San Siro lasted until the 24th minute, when Kimmich invented a perfect deep pass between Dimarco and Dumfries, which Sané controlled with quality to dribble past Onana and finish on an empty goal.

The goal unleashed Nagelsmann’s joy on the bench, but it didn’t quench the hunger of a Bayern that, in fact, put even more pressure on an Inter that was equally serious on the ropes.

However, the ‘Nerazzurri’ responded with two consecutive arrivals thanks to perfectly executed quick transitions, circulations at first touch that gave Bayern’s defense no time to position themselves. San Siro was animated. A mirage. When Inter thought they had the game in their hands, Bayern reappeared.

The Germans took control again, taming the game in their favor and, like a perfectly oiled machine, arrivals didn’t stop once it was put into use. Automatic pilot. The clearest on the brink of half-time, with a triple chance. First Davies, then Mauller and finally Sabitzer, Onana, who made a very complete debut, and the tangle of interista legs could not overcome.

Inter jumped much better in the second half, with two chances from Dzeko, one saved by a Neuer who had not entered the game until then, and another ending in the body of Lucas Hernández.

But when Bayern insisted, there was little the local defense could do. When the higher lords found each other, there was only resignation. A double wall in the area, on a tile, between Sané and Coman, ended with the Germany international serving a killer pass straight to Mané, but D’Ambrosio tried to intercept and ended up in his own goal.

Inter’s good minutes after the break were reduced to ashes in a play that eventually knocked out the ‘nerazzurri’, who saw Mané wanting to compete in the next game, as soon as he took the center of Inter, with a shot that sent Onana with her right foot to kicked out.

When the game was condemned, Bayern let go of the accelerator and made a few mistakes in defence. The clearest left Correa alone against Neuer in 82. Nothing came out for the Milanese.

Demonstration of strength, solidity, precision and authority by Bayern at the San Siro in an unbeatable start to this Champions League, leaving an Inter not yet done licking the wounds of the ‘Derby della Madonnina’, 3-2 succumbed in Milan.