MILAN (AP) 鈥 It is rare that a goalkeeper is named player of the match, even rarer when he has conceded three goals.
But Inter Milan鈥檚 Yann Sommer was given that honor following on Tuesday that sent the Italian team through to the Champions League final 7-6 on aggregate after extra time.
Sommer鈥檚 saves against Barcelona beggared belief in a rollercoaster match that at times went beyond insanity as it somehow managed to be even more drama packed than the previous week, with his team truly living up to its 鈥減azza (mad) Inter鈥 nickname.
There was his sensational reaction save on Eric Garc铆a early in the second half, between Barcelona鈥檚 quickfire double that saw the visitors come back from two goals down, and a flying leap to fingertip a Lamine Yamal curler away from the top corner with the score at 2-2.
Sommer saved the best almost for last, however, when he again flew to fingertip another shot from the precocious Barcelona teen around his post. There were just seven minutes of extra time remaining at that point, with Inter leading 4-3, and his teammates celebrated as if they had scored again.
鈥淚鈥檓 very happy. It was an amazing match, and the team has gone on an extraordinary journey,鈥 Sommer said. 鈥淭he toughest save was the last one, because Yamal is really strong and always comes inside to shoot.
鈥淚t was also maybe the most important one 鈥 because it gave us a little bit power, it gave us the confidence back for these last minutes.鈥
At the age of 36, Sommer is revelling in his time in the spotlight in perhaps his biggest moment since to help Switzerland beat France in a penalty shootout in the 2020 European Championship.
And he could even be in line for a much more prestigious acclaim, with Spanish sports newspaper Marca naming him as a strong candidate for the Ballon d鈥橭r award as the world鈥檚 best soccer player.
鈥淚 could not be happier than now,鈥 Sommer said. 鈥淲e as a team and as well me, I worked hard for these kind of moments, for these situations, for these games, to be in a club like this.
鈥淚n the end I鈥檓 here with this beautiful team and we are in the Champions League final.鈥
It will be Inter鈥檚 second final in three years and, having almost defied the odds to get there, Simone Inzaghi鈥檚 team might very well be the favorite against in Munich on May 31.
Two years ago nobody expected much against Manchester City but Inter only lost 1-0. This time even Inzaghi almost conceded Inter would be favored after eliminating not only Barcelona but Bayern Munich in the quarterfinals.
鈥淲e have grown since then,鈥 he said. 鈥淭hese guys have been extraordinary, we have to continue.
鈥淭he final will be played against a really great team, whether it鈥檚 Arsenal or PSG. It will be difficult but after beating Barcelona and Bayern 鈥 well they鈥檙e probably the best teams in Europe at the moment.鈥
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