Bayern Munich vs Inter Milan Lineups: Confirmed Starting XI

There are matchups that look thrilling on paper, and then there are those that deliver the kind of plot twist you don’t see coming. The Champions League quarterfinal between Bayern Munich and Inter Milan on April 8, 2025, was firmly in the latter camp, with Inter leaving the Allianz Arena with a 2–1 victory after a tactical masterclass from Simone Inzaghi. The confirmed lineups told the story before a ball was even kicked, and the real drama was how a 3–5-2 system neutralized one of Europe’s most feared high presses.

Match Date: 8 April 2025 ·
Result: Bayern Munich 1–2 Inter Milan ·
Total Goals: 3 ·
Inter’s Formation: 3-5-2

Key match details at a glance.

What are the confirmed lineups for Bayern Munich vs Inter Milan?

The official starting XIs, released roughly an hour before kickoff, confirmed Vincent Kompany’s 4-2-3-1 against Simone Inzaghi’s 3-5-2. Six facts, one pattern: Inter had numbers in midfield and Bayern trusted width through the wingers.

The match officials and substitutes were also listed on Sky Sports (UK sports broadcaster) and kicker (German sports magazine), both corroborating the same personnel. What stands out: Bayern opted for Urbig in goal, while Kompany’s midfield featured Kimmich and Goretzka as the double pivot — a pairing built for control but vulnerable to rapid transitions. Inter packed five midfield bodies across the pitch, a structural advantage that proved decisive.

The pattern: Bayern’s 4-2-3-1 gave them territorial dominance — 2.4 xG and 2.7 xT in the first leg according to Playmaker AI (tactical analytics platform) — but Inter’s compact block and outlet passes meant they needed only 0.7 xG to score twice.

The decisive factor: Inter’s 3-5-2 allowed them to absorb pressure and hit on the break, turning Bayern’s possession into a liability.

Who scored for Inter Milan against Bayern?

Inter’s goals in the first leg came from two separate players — a center-forward finish and a defensive contribution. Two goals, one story: Inter turned minimal chances into maximum damage.

Lautaro Martínez’s opener in the 41st minute, assisted by Dimarco, exposed the space behind Bayern’s right back in transition — a recurring vulnerability all night. The second goal came via a deflection off Minjae Kim from a set-piece scramble, officially recorded as an own goal. According to UEFA’s match report, it was the decisive blow; Bayern pulled one back but never equalized.

The catch: Bayern scored only once from 2.4 xG — a finishing efficiency gap that decided the tie. Inter’s two goals came from situations the 3-5-2 is designed to create: wide overloads and set-piece chaos.

What channel is Inter vs Bayern on?

Broadcast rights varied by region, but across major markets the match was available on premium sports platforms. Four territories, one carve-up: most viewers needed a subscription.

Free-to-air options were limited. In the UK, TNT Sports required a paid subscription, while German viewers could access the match via DAZN’s standard plan. For U.S. audiences, Paramount+ offered the match as part of its Champions League package. Sky Sports’ preview page also listed the broadcast details alongside the confirmed lineups.

Why this matters: For fans planning to watch the return leg or future Champions League fixtures, the fragmentation of broadcast rights means checking regional availability early — free streams are increasingly rare for knockout matches.

How to watch Bayern Munich today?

For live matches, the options depend on your location and whether you’re willing to pay. Three routes, one reality: a subscription is now standard for Champions League knockout football.

• Paramount+ (US): Offers every Champions League match live and on-demand. Monthly subscription ~$5.99. Compatible with smart TVs, phones, and tablets.
• DAZN (Canada, Germany, Italy): Carries Champions League rights in multiple European markets. Annual plans available, with device support across consoles and streaming sticks.
• TNT Sports (UK): Requires a TV package or Discovery+ subscription. Individual match purchase is not available — you need the full sports bundle.

All platforms support mobile viewing, but for the best experience (especially during a tactical match like this one), a stable internet connection and a large screen are recommended. UEFA’s official site also provides live stats and lineups for those who prefer following on a second screen.

The trade-off: Free streams often lack reliability and are prone to buffering during high-traffic moments like goals. For a Champions League quarterfinal, paying for a legitimate stream is the safer choice — missing a goal because the feed dropped isn’t worth the saving.

Who is better, Inter Milan or Bayern Munich?

One match doesn’t settle the debate, but the Champions League quarterfinal provided a concrete snapshot. Two elite clubs, two contrasting philosophies, one clear tactical winner on the night.

The first-leg numbers paint a familiar picture: Bayern created more chances but converted poorly. Inter, by contrast, showed ruthless efficiency — 0.7 xG, two goals. The second-leg stats from Playmaker AI reveal a tighter contest: Inter’s 2.0 xG to Bayern’s 1.6, and a territorial threat (xT) of 0.9 vs 2.1, confirming that Bayern still controlled space but couldn’t turn it into a winning aggregate.

The implication: Inzaghi’s side proved that structure and finishing efficiency can trump possession dominance. For neutrals and bettors alike, the lesson is that Bayern’s “better on paper” no longer guarantees advancement — tactical discipline, especially in a 3-5-2, has become the silent equalizer at the highest level.

The aggregate result confirms Inter’s tactical superiority on this occasion.

Related reading: Bayern Munich vs Inter Milan lineups confirmed · Inter vs Bayern Munich Champions League xG analysis

For the latest confirmed starting XIs and tactical analysis, check out the Bayern Munich vs Inter Milan lineups article.

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