From Banished Yann Sommer to Champions League Final Tears: A Final Slap for FC Bayern
Late Sting for FC Bayern: Yann Sommers' Emotional Blow
Standing at 183 cm tall, Yann Sommer might seem small, but his performance against FC Barcelona proves he's anything but. This extraordinary goalkeeper, now with Inter Milan, earned his spot in the Champions League final, leaving FC Bayern Munich to swallow their regret.
Sommer's emotional breakdown after the epic 4-3 (3-3, 2-0) win against Barcelona is the cherished climax of an eventful football journey. In the legendary Giuseppe Meazza Stadium, Sommer, at age 36, achieves a feat many thought unlikely—his first Champions League final—and receives the Player of the Match trophy for his spectacular performance. The Swiss press hails him as a hero, with Neue Zürcher Zeitung praising his world-class saves and Basler Zeitung declaring him "enchanting." Despite Marca acknowledging that the headlines will be about Barcelona's Lamine, the Spanish sports newspaper still admits that Sommer "was the decisive player."
From Munich to Inter: A Rocky Road
Inter's victory couldn't have happened without Sommer's brilliant performance. His combination of excellent footwork and spectacular saves helped launch countless attacks on Barcelona, while his heroic saves prevented potential game-changing goals by Barcelona's Eric García and Lamine Yamal. With its 114th-minute save, Sommer denied Yamal, a 17-year-old prodigy, a moment that could have cemented his legacy.
Sommer's tears of joy after the final whistle are a bitter pill for FC Bayern to swallow, as they unceremoniously discharged the Swiss goalkeeper in 2023, after he had joined them following Manuel Neuer's injury. Bayern, under Julian Nagelsmann's successor Thomas Tuchel, considered Sommer an "unsafety factor." This decision has come back to haunt them in the unforgettable night in Milan.
Reflections of a Former Giant
"I figured out how it works at Bayern," Sommer reflects later. "They pick out one or two players, then the media blames them. Another two get replaced, and I was next in line." Sommer refused to defend himself publicly during that tumultuous period at Bayern, which included firings, transfers, and various unrest off the field.
The negative assessments were "partly unpleasant" and didn't go unnoticed by Sommer. On that magical night in Milan, he answered his critics without a word, delivering a late, continental-scale revenge. Although he wouldn't boast about it, Sommer's future performances against Bayern are sure to carry an extra burden of emotion.
Football Inter star Sommer's heartbreaker vs. Bayern, Champions League finals loom
Munich: A History of Rough Patches
Sommer's turbulent time at Bayern was not unique. The club has a history of hardship, with players like Franck Ribéry, Arjen Robben, and Thomas Müller enduring their share of criticism. Despite these challenges, they found success and remained with the club for substantial periods. In contrast, Sommer was swiftly released, and his move to Inter proved to be rejuvenating for both the player and the team.
As Inter Milan prepares to face either Paris Saint-Germain or Arsenal in the Champions League final on May 31 at the Allianz Arena, Sommer's experience and skills continue to shine. His ability to perform under pressure and his familial connection to the stadium are valuable assets for Inter Milan in the final, as they aim to lift the trophy and claim European glory at the expense of their former goalkeeper.
- Yann Sommer, standing tall at 183 cm, showcased his brilliant abilities in the Champions League final, a feat that many thought improbable, despite being a prodigy like Eric García and Lamine Yamal.
- The 114th-minute save by Sommer against Barcelona in the Giuseppe Meazza Stadium denied a potential game-changing goal by 17-year-old Yamal, a moment that could have cemented his legacy.
- The Swiss goalkeeper, somber and emotional, received the Player of the Match trophy in the Champions League final, after setting the stage for Inter Milan's victory – a bitter pill for FC Bayern to swallow, considering they discarded him earlier.
- Inter Milan's journey to the Champions League final would not have been possible without the aid of a talented goalkeeper like Yann Sommer, who impressed with both his excellent footwork and spectacular saves.
- Under the coaches at Bayern Munich, Sommer felt like an "unsafety factor," a label that would ultimately follow him to Inter Milan but propelled him to achieve international success, providing a much-needed shot of community aid and aid for the construction of these new buildings in his career.
