It´s Sommer time for Inter after stunning save denies Yamal

Yann Sommer said his save to deny Lamine Yamal an equaliser during Inter’s dramatic Champions League semi-final victory over Barcelona is one he will never forget.

Sommer drew comparisons to Inter great Julio Cesar, the last goalkeeper to win the Champions League with the club, following an almighty performance in Tuesday’s second leg.

Inter were on the brink of elimination when Barca fought back from 2-0 down to lead 3-2, but Francesco Acerbi levelled in the 93rd minute then Davide Frattesi put them ahead in extra time.

With Inter leading 4-3 on the night and 7-6 on aggregate, the 35-year-old Switzerland international denied Yamal in the 113th minute with a fingertip stop as he flung himself high to his right to paw away a curling effort that would have forced a penalty shoot-out.

The save came from a similar position to where Lionel Messi was famously denied by Cesar at Camp Nou in a 2010 semi-final, during the Nerazzurri’s treble-winning campaign.

“It was a special save, one I’ll remember for the rest of my life,” a visibly emotional Sommer told reporters at San Siro. “I’m happy that ball didn’t go in.”

Sommer made 14 saves across both legs of the tie – the second-most in a Champions League semi-final since detailed data collection began.

14 – Yann Sommer made 14 saves across both legs vs Barcelona – the second-most in a Champions League semi-final since detailed data collection began. Only Jan Oblak had more (16) for Atlético vs Bayern in 2015/16. Wizard. pic.twitter.com/ghmDJvqTYa

— OptaFranz (@OptaFranz) May 7, 2025

Only Jan Oblak has ever had more, making 16 for Atletico Madrid versus Bayern Munich in 2015-16.

The veteran keeper recorded 61 touches — second only to defender Alessandro Bastoni (63) among Inter players — and made seven saves on Tuesday, many of them to keep out Yamal.

“He’s a fantastic player,” Sommer said of the 17-year-old winger. “But we managed to come back. A lot of teams would be exhausted after conceding a third goal, but not us.”

Inter will now prepare for their first Champions League final since 2010, when they lifted the trophy under Jose Mourinho.