Player ratings: Inter 4-3 Barcelona (aet) – Lautaro’s sacrifice, Acerbi and Sommer’s heroics

MILAN, ITALY – MAY 06: Lautaro Martinez of FC Internazionale is challenged by Pau Cubarsi of FC Barcelona which results in referee Szymon Marciniak (not pictured) awarding a penalty to FC Internazionale during the UEFA Coppa Campioni 2024/25 Semi Final Second Leg match between FC Internazionale Milano and FC Barcelona at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on May 06, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

Inter emerged 4-3 winners after extra time against Barcelona in a breathtaking encounter, during which they first squandered a two-goal lead, only to respond to the Blaugrana’s comeback with a dramatic injury-time equaliser from centre-back Francesco Acerbi.

At times, the Nerazzurri’s midfield, particularly Nicolò Barella and Henrikh Mkhitaryan, struggled to cope with the opponents’ pace and intensity, feeling suffocated by Barcelona’s relentless press. However, masterful performances from the likes of Acerbi, Denzel Dumfries, captain Lautaro Martinez, and Yann Sommer ultimately secured Simone Inzaghi’s side their second Champions League final in three seasons.

Football Italia were among the accredited media at San Siro – here are the player ratings.

Inter 4-3 Barcelona: player ratings

Inter: Sommer 8; Bisseck 6 (71’ Darmian 6.5), Acerbi 8, Bastoni 7.5; Dumfries 7.5 (108’ De Vrij 6.5), Barella 5.5, Calhanoglu 6.5 (79’ Zielinski 6), Mkhitaryan 5.5 (79’ Frattesi 7), Dimarco 6.5 (55’ Carlos Augusto 5); Lautaro Martinez 8 (71’ Taremi 6.5), Thuram 6.5

Inter best player: Sommer, Acerbi & Lautaro Martinez 8 –Showing an unmatched spirit of sacrifice on the most important night of the season, the captain not only joins the battle despite being only partially fit, but makes a decisive impact—scoring the opener and winning the penalty that leads to his side’s second goal. At the other end of the pitch, Sommer’s masterful saves keep Inter afloat throughout the second half and extra time. And finally, what more can be said about a centre-back who gives everything to contain Europe’s most lethal attack—then rises to score a dramatic injury-time equaliser?

Inter lowest rating: Carlos Augusto 5 – While many hoped his presence would bring solidity to the defence just as Barcelona prepared to throw everything forward, his impact proved disastrous—directly paving the way for an immediate second goal. Fortunately for him, his teammates refused to let one of his worst performances of the season ruin the night.

Inter coach: Simone Inzaghi 7.5 – Both Bayern Munich and Barcelona boasted superior technical quality compared to Inter, but the grit and character of the team Simone Inzaghi has been shaping over the past four seasons led to an unthinkable—yet thoroughly deserved—result. Crucially, his substitutions (with the exception of Carlos Augusto) were spot on, injecting new life into the Nerazzurri just when the match seemed to be slipping out of their grasp.

Barcelona: Barcelona: Szczesny 6; Eric García 7 (98′ Fort 6), Cubarsì 5.5 (106′ Gavi n/a), Iñigo Martinez 5.5 (76’ Araujo 5.5), Gerard Martin 6.5; De Jong 6, Pedri 6.5; Lamine Yamal 7, Dani Olmo 6.5 (82’ Fermin Lopez), Raphinha 6.5; Ferran Torres 5.5 (90’ Lewandowski 5.5)

Barcelona best player: Lamine Yamal 7.5 – It’s anche coincidence that his name doesn’t appear on the scoresheet. Nearly every attacking move flowed through his feet—a concentration of talent rarely seen on the pitch at San Siro.

Barcelona lowest rating: Ferran Torres 5.5 – Sommer’s save defies explanation, but his miss in front of an open goal speaks volumes about his lack of attacking presence. While his movement helps create space, it’s simply not enough to offer Barcelona the cutting edge they need up front.

Barcelona coach: Hansi Flick 5 – The lack of a Plan B appears to be what ultimately held Barcelona back in this Coppa Campioni campaign. While their attacking potential remains a clear strength with room to be fully maximised, their inability to sit deeper and defend compactly when the situation demanded it cost them dearly—leading to elimination against an Inter side clearly inferior in terms of technical quality.