‘Sliding Doors’ – Inter Milan Champions League Hero Was One Step From Joining Barcelona In 2019 | OneFootball

In a real “sliding doors” moment, Inter Milan’s Champions League hero Yann Sommer was one step from joining Barcelona in 2019.

This is highlighted by Spanish newspaper Sport, via FCInterNews. They note how in the end, the Blaugranas would sign Neto from Valencia instead of the Swiss.

Goalkeeper Yann Sommer certainly had a prominent role in the Champions League tie between Inter and Barcelona.

The 36-year-old was outstanding in both legs of the semifinal tie. But he particularly stepped up for the second leg.

Sommer made a string of brilliant saves. Culminating in an almost miraculous intervention to tip a Lamine Yamal effort wide as Inter won the match 4-3, and the tie 7-6 on aggregate.

Inter UCL Hero Yann Sommer Was One Step From Barcelona In 2019

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 18: Yann Sommer of FC Internazionale during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD1 match between Manchester City and FC Internazionale Milano at City of Manchester Stadium on September 18, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

As Sport notes, things could have been very difficult had Sommer completed a notable transfer in 2019.

That summer, Barcelona had been chasing Yann Sommer as a backup to Marc-Andre Ter Stegen.

The Nerazzurri’s plan was to sign the Swiss international from Borrussia Monchengladbach to replace Jasper Cilessen.

However, in the end, Barcelona instead completed a double deal with Valencia.

Neto joined the Blaugranas from Valencia, whilst Cilessen joined Los Che.

Therefore, Sommer spent a few more years with Gladbach. Then he spent half a season with Bayern Munich.

In the summer of 2023, Bayern sold Sommer to Inter.