"I promised my family that I would definitely play, and I kept that promise."
Italy's 'Football Italia' reported on the 7th (Korean time) that "Lautaro Martínez (28, Inter Milan) spent the two days before the match crying at home. Once again, he held back his tears and participated in the interview," relaying Lautaro's story after the interview following the match against FC Barcelona.
On the 7th, Inter Milan won 4-3 against FC Barcelona in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League semifinals for the 2024-2025 season held at Stadio San Siro in Milan, Italy.
The matchup, which ended in a 3-3 draw in the first leg, concluded with Inter's aggregate score of 7-6 victory. Thus, Inter Milan advanced to the Champions League final.
Inter Milan lined up in a 3-5-2 formation. Marcus Thuram and Lautaro Martínez formed the attacking duo, while Federico Dimarco, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Hakan Çalhanoğlu, Nicolò Barella, and Denzel Dumfries anchored the midfield. Alessandro Bastoni, Francesco Acerbi, and Jan Aurel Bisseck formed the back three, while Jan Sommer guarded the goal.
Barcelona deployed a 4-2-3-1 formation. Ferran Torres aimed for a goal, and Raphinha, Dani Olmo, and Lamine Yamal supported the attack. Pedri and Frenkie de Jong filled the midfield, while Gerard Martín, Iñigo Martínez, Pau Cubarsi, and Eric García formed the four-man defense. Wojciech Szczęsny donned the goalkeeper gloves.
The early stages of the match favored Inter Milan. In the 21st minute of the first half, Lautaro Martínez received a pass from Thuram and calmly scored the opening goal. In the 43rd minute, Çalhanoğlu converted a penalty kick obtained after a video review (VAR), extending the score to 2-0.
Barcelona's counterattack was fierce as well. In the 9th minute of the second half, Eric García scored a sensational goal, and in the 15th minute, Dani Olmo equalized with a header, turning the momentum. In the 43rd minute of the second half, Raphinha's goal put them ahead 3-2, but in stoppage time, Inter's center-back Acerbi finished off a cross from Dumfries, dramatically leveling the score at 3-3.
The match went into extra time. In the 8th minute of the first half of extra time, Frattesi received a pass from Thuram and netted the decisive goal. Barcelona launched an all-out offense with Robert Lewandowski, Fermín López, and Pau Victor, but was thwarted by Jan Sommer’s remarkable saves.
In the end, Inter Milan defeated Barcelona in a dramatic match and advanced to the Champions League final for the first time in 15 years since the 2009-2010 season. The final showdown for the 'big ears' will take place against the winner of the match between Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain.
According to Football Italia, Lautaro stated in an interview with Italy's Sky Sports, "After the first leg ended, I felt a problem with my muscle and, to be honest, I cried at home for two days. It was really painful. I worked diligently with the medical staff to recover, and although I wasn't at 100%, I was able to play today. I promised my family that I would definitely play, and I kept that promise."
Lautaro scored the opening goal in this match and also induced the penalty kick. He actively contributed by drawing a foul from Barcelona defender Pau Cubarsi that led to Hakan Çalhanoğlu’s goal.
He remarked, "This is my football. In such matches, you have to give it your all. Inter Milan has consistently raised its level over the past 4-5 years. We are a team that never gives up, and this stadium with these fans is truly unbelievable."
Inter Milan stepped onto the final stage once again after losing 0-1 to Manchester City in the 2023 final. Lautaro noted, "From the day after we lost the last final, I have envisioned this moment. After recovering my energy well and finishing the season, we now have another opportunity to make history."
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