European giants, Inter Milan and Barcelona are set to battle once again on Tuesday night at San Siro, as they chase a spot in the Champions League final after last week’s dramatic six-goal thriller in Spain.
The first leg served up a pulsating encounter, with both teams showcasing their strengths, Inter’s defensive steel meeting Barcelona’s blistering offense, in a game that ended 3-3.
Now, with the tie finely poised, Inter seek to reach a fourth European final while Barcelona aim for a record-extending sixth crown.
High-Stakes Clash at San Siro
It was a night of chaos and brilliance in Catalonia last Wednesday, as the two heavyweights traded blows in a game for the ages.
Setting the tone for a stone-cold classic, Marcus Thuram’s clever flick put Inter ahead in the first leg, scoring the fastest semi-final goal in Champions League history after just 30 seconds.
Denzel Dumfries, often an unsung hero, grabbed the spotlight with a rare brace, while teenage sensation Lamine Yamal produced a stunning response for the hosts.
Inter let a two-goal cushion slip but were ultimately content with the draw, banking on their intimidating record at home to make the difference in the return leg.
Inter’s Experience Meets Barca’s Firepower
Despite a strong defensive record, five goals conceded and eight clean sheets before the semi-final, the Nerazzurri struggled to contain Flick’s dynamic frontline.
Still, the echoes of 2010 resonate: that year, Inter ousted Barcelona in the semi-finals before conquering Europe under Jose Mourinho.
Inzaghi’s squad has a similar age profile to that vintage side, and despite some recent setbacks they have been tough to defeat, unbeaten in their last 15 home matches in UEFA’s top competition, winning 12, they are a formidable force at San Siro.
But their recent form raises eyebrows. A 1-0 win over Hellas Verona at the weekend broke a five-match winless streak and kept their Serie A hopes flickering, though they still trail Napoli.
Barcelona’s Treble Charge Rolls On
While Inter’s ambitions of a treble ended with a Coppa Italia exit to city rivals Milan, Barcelona remain in the hunt. They already have the Spanish Super Cup in the bag, and having edged out Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey final, they now top La Liga with just four matches to go.
Barca have now won 24 of their last 30 matches, only losing to Borussia Dortmund in the second leg of the Champions League quarter-finals, when the tie was essentially over, and their lightning-fast attack is feared across the continent.
Teen prodigy Lamine Yamal has five Champions League goals to his name this season, only three teenage players have ever scored more in a single campaign. Raphinha, meanwhile, has matched record-breaking stats, having directly contributed to 20 goals.
All told, Hansi Flick’s team have scored 40 times in this season’s edition, closing in on an overall record set by Barca themselves in 1999-00 (45).
Yet, past stats offer caution, Barcelona have lost their last four Champions League semi-final away legs and only claimed two away wins at this stage, suffering 11 defeats. Against Serie A sides, their record reads just five wins from 24 visits.
Form Guide
Inter (Champions League): WWWWDD
Inter (All comps): DLLLDW
Barcelona (Champions League): DWWWLD
Barcelona (All comps): LWWWDW
Team News and Predicted Lineups
Lautaro Martinez remains a doubt for Inter after picking up a hamstring injury, possibly paving the way for Marko Arnautovic or Mehdi Taremi to lead the line.
Benjamin Pavard is also uncertain, but Hakan Calhanoglu returns after serving a domestic suspension.
Kristjan Asllani converted an early penalty as a much-changed XI ended the Nerazzurri’s winless run, but established stars such as Denzel Dumfries, Marcus Thuram, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and goalkeeper Yann Sommer will now return to the starting lineup.
Barcelona, too, rotated heavily at the weekend, preserving energy for both the semi-final and an approaching El Clasico. Marc-Andre ter Stegen returned in goal, while regular starters like Yamal, Raphinha, and Cubarsi are set to reclaim their spots. However, injuries to Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde persist.
In better news for the Blaugrana, Robert Lewandowski is close to returning to action and could be named on the bench.
Predicted XI
Inter Milan:
Sommer; Bisseck, Acerbi, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Arnautovic, Thuram
Barcelona:
Szczesny; Garcia, Araujo, Cubarsi, Martinez; De Jong, Pedri; Yamal, Olmo, Raphinha; Torres
Both of the last two games between these teams have ended 3-3, and there is every reason to expect more goals on this occasion, with such a big prize at stake.
While Inter’s aging core and patchy form could prove costly, Barcelona’s momentum and attacking verve may be enough to tip the scales in their favor at San Siro.
Out of form and ageing, once-solid Inter are creaking at the seams; Barca have their own flaws, but the Catalans can leave Milan victorious due to their incredibly potent attack.
