Poland's Piotr Zieliński Celebrates Inter Milan's Champions

A Historic Victory
In the second-leg semifinal in Milan, Inter had beaten Barcelona, 3-3, on an earlier goal by Ronaldo. Zieliński, who came on in the 79th minute, was dropped down to ponder the significance of a memorable result and describe it as "historical".

“Hopefully we can win the Champions League, that is my dream from being a young boy,” he was quoted as saying after the match.

POLES UNDER THE LENS
Zieliński was not the only Poland international that played a key role for Inter, the other one, Nicola Zalewski, sat on the bench throughout the match. Barcelona had two Polish players too: goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny, who was solid despite allowing four goals, and striker Robert Lewandowski, who came off the bench just before the start of extra time.

Lewandowski had a golden chance to tie the game in the second half of extra time, but he shanked an point-blank header, a miss also publicized by the Polish broadcaster TVP Sport. The forward was also hurt (hamstring) and unavailable for the opening leg.

Referee and Next Opponents
The match was a feisty affair from the kick-off and Polish referee Szymon Marciniak was the subject of praise from the Italian press and scorn from the Spanish.

Inter will now face either Paris Saint-Germain or Arsenal in the Champions League final on May 31 at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany.

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