Analysing Inter hero Yann Sommer’s elite goalkeeping display against Barcelona

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Matt Pyzdrowski is a coach and former goalkeeper who played in the United States and Sweden. He serves as a goalkeeping analyst for The Athletic.

The benchmark for Yann Sommer’s brilliance was set in August 2022, when he produced one of the most outrageous goalkeeping performances the Bundesliga has seen when he made 19 saves against Bayern Munich. It was a shot-stopping clinic that felt more like a one-man siege defence than a football match.

Somehow, the 36-year-old, who won 94 caps for Switzerland before retiring from international duty last summer, may have topped that in Inter’s Champions League semi-final win over Barcelona.

The Bayern performance was statistically mindblowing, the two matches with Inter were drenched in pressure, drama, and consequence. Sommer made 14 saves across the tie, capped off by a second-leg display that defied belief. And here’s the kicker: he conceded three goals in each leg… but was still man of the match in the second game.

This wasn’t about perfection for Sommer and Inter, it was about survival. Barcelona had enough chances to win the tie five times over, but Sommer had other ideas.

Three saves in particular tell the story of just how complete, intelligent and physically elite his performance was: the 57th-minute stop from Eric Garcia, and two sensational saves from Lamine Yamal — one in the 77th minute, the other in the 114th minute with Inter clinging to their 7-6 aggregate lead.

Yann Sommer masterclass ⛔👏@QatarAirways | #LetsFly pic.twitter.com/Dk7aKhSl0p

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) May 6, 2025

Sommer’s save against Garcia might not get the headlines but, for goalkeeper nerds, this was gold. What makes this stop so impressive wasn’t just the save, it was everything that came before.

The key was his textbook footwork. As the ball was worked around the box, he kept his steps small and quick, was balanced and ready to spring.

At the beginning of the move, Sommer did well to retreat to his line and move across to the near post, tracking a potential shot from Gerard Martin.

When Martin pulled his left leg back, Sommer got himself set in anticipation of the shot. However, Martin didn’t shoot, instead he cut the ball back across the goal to a wide-open Garcia rushing towards the back post.

In a split second, Sommer shifted his weight, which was taking him towards the near post, back the way he had come. It’s hard to explain how difficult it is to change direction as quickly and efficiently as this.

A ball cut across the box is where most goalkeepers get caught out and two common mistakes occur. Either the keeper is caught flat-footed, stuck in the turf with no chance to react, or — even if they manage to shuffle across their goal — they lack the strength to generate a powerful push and dive with intent. Sommer avoids both.

His footwork was sharp, his movement purposeful, and when the shot came, he didn’t just get there, he got there with power. Crucially, he got both hands behind the ball — he didn’t just stop the shot, he pushed it out of danger.

Garcia should do better, but that would be ignoring the real story: this is a world-class save that only happens because of elite positioning, balance, and raw athleticism. Most keepers don’t get to the shot. Most who do can’t save it.

Sommer’s first save from Yamal in the 77th minute was all about the details. His positioning was perfect — not too deep on his line, but not overcommitting. By setting himself about two yards off the line in preparation for the shot, he did just enough to cut down the angle without sacrificing reaction time.

That might sound small, but the margin for error at this level is razor thin. A larger goalkeeper may have the luxury of setting a step or two further out, but for Sommer — who is not the biggest at 6ft (183cm) — it’s all about finding that sweet spot.

As Yamal danced around the box, trying to find the crucial space he needed to shoot, Sommer remained calm and focused in the centre of his goal. Goalkeepers are the only people on the pitch who can see everything, and are vital when it comes to orchestrating the positioning of their defender.

An example of this can be seen in the sport of handball, when a defender can effectively cover one post to help the goalkeeper and make the area of the goal he has to cover significantly smaller.

This can apply to football, too, and in these instances, it is vital that defenders avoid crossing the goalkeeper’s line of the shot and block the side of the goal closest to them. In this instance, that would mean the defenders would block the near post, allowing Sommer to cover the far one.

As Yamal moved in and out of traffic, the Inter defenders kept him in front of them, avoiding any sudden movements which would have opened space for him to shoot toward the near post. This was communication and trust, executed perfectly.

When Yamal finally did pull the trigger, Sommer was set and ready, allowing his footwork to shine again. Crucially, he didn’t retreat and panic.

With the ball travelling toward goal, Sommer took three quick shuffle steps and threw himself forward toward the ball. There was a decisiveness in the way he attacked the shot, he flew to his right and used his right hand to make the save.

Sommer saved his best for last. The save from Yamal in the 114th minute would turn out to be the key moment. Inter were hanging on. Barcelona pressing. The entire stadium held its breath. And Sommer? Ice cold.

He wasn’t too deep or aggressive. He was positioned just right, about two, three yards from his line. He was upright, alert, and balanced.

His defender Carlos Augusto helped him by closing off the near post. However, as Yamal cut into space, Carlos Augusto accidentally opened his legs, giving the Barcelona teenager a tempting gap. Sommer couldn’t go early because if he did, Yamal could have swung the ball back and under the legs of the Inter defender and towards the near post.

Sommer read it all, remained patient and, importantly, stayed on his feet. No early commitment or big pre-jump loads, just subtle adjustments — tiny, active steps that kept him grounded and gave him the freedom to react.

Here’s where Sommer’s unique athletic profile becomes such an advantage. Some goalkeepers need to hop or load up before a shot to activate their muscles, much in the same way that tennis players hop before a serve or return from their opponent. But that comes with risk. Land too early, and you’re flat-footed. Land too late, and the ball’s past you.

Sommer’s so naturally explosive that he can stay grounded and rely on his strength and coordination to explode toward the ball when the time comes. That’s exactly what he did here. He didn’t just reach the shot, he threw himself forward to parry it wide. If he throws himself even the slightest bit backwards, he is never able to attack the ball at the necessary angle and with enough power to push it wide.

Sommer threw his hands into the air at the final whistle and began to celebrate with his team-mates. He knew his performance was crucial. “I’m very happy, it was an incredible match. The team did something amazing,” Sommer told Sky Sport Italia after being named UEFA’s MVP of the game.

When asked which save was the most special, he didn’t hesitate. “That last one on Lamine. He’s an extremely talented player, always trying to cut inside and shoot.”

🎶 Sommer, Sommer, Sommer… #UCL pic.twitter.com/awu5GpTh4L

— Liga de Campeones (@LigadeCampeones) May 6, 2025

Inter signed Sommer for just €6million from Bayern after selling Andre Onana to Manchester United for €50million in 2023 — a move that raised eyebrows at the time. But any doubts have long since been erased. The fee has paid for itself several times over.

If you’re just noticing Sommer now, you’re late to the party. He’s been producing the goods for over a decade — for Borussia Monchengladbach, for Switzerland, and now Inter.

After being criminally underrated his entire career, he is finally getting the recognition he deserves.

(Top photo: Image Photo Agency/Getty Images)

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