It had all the makings of a fairytale – a club legend returning to rescue his team in a moment of crisis. And while Thomas Müller did find the net, it wasn't enough to save FC Bayern from a 2-1 defeat to Inter Milan in their UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg.

Bayern Munich have reportedly decided not to offer their iconic forward a contract extension – a decision that felt all the more surreal after Müller once again proved his worth on the European stage.

Injuries continue to plague Die Roten, who entered this clash significantly weakened. Inter, in contrast, looked every bit the treble-chasing machine, and they delivered a clinical performance at the Allianz Arena.

First Half: Missed Chances, Ruthless Response

The hosts started brighter. Michael Olise was electric on the right wing and nearly helped Harry Kane open the scoring in the 26th minute. But the England striker’s curling effort struck the post. Just moments later, Inter Milan hit back.

A sharp transition saw Carlos Augusto fly down the left, find Marcus Thuram, whose stunning backheel set up Lautaro Martínez for a calm finish – 0-1 to the Nerazzurri.

Second Half: Enter Müller, But Frattesi Seals It

Bayern dominated possession in the second half (67%), but struggled to break down Inter’s compact setup. That changed with the introduction of Thomas Müller in the 80th minute. The veteran nearly sparked a comeback.

After Kane's second miss, it was Müller who finally broke through in the 85th minute, nodding home a Konrad Laimer cross at the far post. The Allianz Arena erupted — this was his moment.

But celebrations were short-lived. Inter launched a textbook counter just three minutes later. Augusto again down the left, a low ball into the box, and Davide Frattesi stabbed it home from close range. Final score: 2-1 to Inter Milan.

With the return leg at the iconic Stadio Giuseppe Meazza looming, questions remain: Can a depleted FC Bayern summon the strength to turn this around, or will Simone Inzaghi’s men march on to the semi-finals?

2024-25 UEFA Champions League

Bayern - Inter 1:2 (0:1)
Goals: Martínez L., 38 (0:1); Muller, 85 (1:1); Frattesi, 88 (1:2)

Bayern: Urbig; Guerreiro (Gnabry, 75); Dier; Kim Min-jae (Boey, 75); Stanisic; Goretzka; Kimmich; Laimer; Olise; Sane L. (Muller, 74); Kane
Bench: Peretz Da.; Palhinha; Vidovic
Yellow Cards: Kim Min-jae 29

Inter: Sommer; Acerbi; Bastoni; Darmian (Bisseck, 79); Carlos Augusto; Pavard; Mkhitaryan (Frattesi, 74); Barella; Çalhanoğlu; Martínez L. (Zalewski, 90); Thuram M.
Bench: Di Gennaro; Martínez J-p; de Vrij; Dimarco; Berenbruch; De Pieri; Arnautovic
Yellow Cards: Martínez L. 54; Mkhitaryan 71; Frattesi 89; Zalewski 90+4