Yann Sommer said his salvation to deny Lamine Yamal an equalizer during Inter's Dramatic Champions League Semi-final victory over Barcelona is one that he will never forget.
Sommer made comparisons with Inter Great Julio Cesar, the last goalkeeper who won the Champions League with the club, after an almighty version in Tuesday's second stage.
Inter was about to eliminize when Barca is back from 2-0 down to Leiden 3-2, but Francesco Acerbi leveled in the 93rd minute and Davide Frattesi brought them first in extra time.
With Inter Leading 4-3 on the night and 7-6 on total, the 35-year-old International in Switzerland Yamal denied in the 113rd minute with a fingertip stop while he was high in his right to put away a curly effort that a penalty shoot-out would have forced.
The rescue came from a similar position as where Lionel Messi was famously refused by Cesar in Camp Nou in a semi-final of 2010, during the triple-winning campaign of Nerazzurri.
“It was a special salvation, one that I will remember for the rest of my life,” a visibly emotional Sommer told reporters in San Siro. “I'm glad the ball didn't go inside.”
Sommer made 14 Saves over both legs of the draw-the second most in a semi-final of the Champions League since the detailed data collection began.
14-Yann Sommer made 14 Saves on both legs vs Barcelona-De at the second most in a semi-final of the Champions League since the detailed data collection began. Only Jan Oblak had more (16) for Atlético vs Bayern in 2015/16. Wizard. pic.twitter.com/ghmdjvqtya
– Optafranz (@Optafranz) 7 May 2025
Only Jan Oblak once had more, which means 16 for Atletico Madrid versus Bayern Munich in 2015-16.
The veteran keeper registered 61 touches – the second only for defender Alessandro Bastoni (63) among Inter -Players – and made seven saves on Tuesday, many of them to keep Yamal out.
“He is a fantastic player,” said Sommer about the 17-year-old winger. “But we have succeeded in coming back. Many teams would be exhausted after a third goal, but not us.”
Inter will now prepare for their first Champions League final since 2010, when they stopped the trophy under Jose Mourinho.