By Graham Ruthven
Rivalry resumed
Not for the first time, Barcelona and Inter Milan produced a classic in the Champions League semi-final when they met last week.
In contrast to the 2010 encounter between the same two clubs when José Mourinho edged a cagey, conservative affair against Pep Guardiola’s team, the first leg of this particular semi-final was sheer chaos, finishing in a 3-3 draw.
This leaves Tuesday’s second leg on a knife-edge. Inter will have opportunities to score again. They will look to expose the space in behind Barca’s high line with set pieces another area where they can hurt the Catalans.
Barcelona, however, boast the most fearsome attack in European football. Lamine Yamal, Raphinha and Pedri showcased their potency in the first leg and will be influential at San Siro too.
Robert Lewandowski could feature after missing last week’s match through injury. The Polish striker’s return would give Barca an even sharper cutting edge in front of goal, although Hansi Flick already has several goal threats to count on.
Key players
Inter need Lautaro Martínez and Marcus Thuram at their sharpest to get the better of Barcelona and make their second Champions League final in three seasons.
Thuram opened the scoring last week with a wonderful backheel finish. Martínez, however, was forced off early through injury and missed the weekend win over Verona. There are questions over his fitness.
Defensively, Inter have one of the best records in this season’s Champions League. This is down to the quality of players like Alessandro Bastoni and Yann Bisseck with Federico Dimarco and Denzel Dumfries key outlets on the wings.
Even by Lamine Yamal’s incredible standards, his performance in the first leg against Inter was remarkable. The 17-year-old registered more shots and dribbles than anyone else on the pitch, scoring an outrageous goal to get Barcelona back into the game at 2-1.
Raphinha also made his mark by assisting Ferran Torres with a neat header at the back post before forcing the Yann Sommer own goal to make it 3-3, smashing a long-range strike off the bar and in off the goalkeeper.
The midfield battle between Pedri, Gavi and Frenkie de Jong and Nicolo Barella, Hakan Çalhanoğlu and Henrikh Mkhitaryan will be key to determining the dynamic of the match.
Team news
Martínez might not be fully fit, but the Argentina forward is expected to start for Inter such is his importance to the Nerazzurri’s chances of making the Champions League final.
However, Benjamin Pavard will definitely miss Tuesday’s semi-final second leg with Valentín Carboni also an injury absentee.
Marc-André Ter Stegen made his return from injury against Real Valladolid on Saturday and will start against Inter. Next to return – Lewandowski will be named on the bench. Jules Koundé, however, will miss the game after coming off during the first leg, as will left back Alejandro Balde.
Prediction
This one could go all the way, and equally, it could go either way, if last week’s intense first leg is any indicator. Overall, though, with Barcelona’s determination and ability to always find a way to win something that has been on display since the turn of the year in particular, we’re going with Barca to edge it. But don’t hold us to it! Inter 1-2 Barcelona (4-5 agg).
(Cover image from IMAGO)
You can follow every game from the Champions League with FotMob this season — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, player ratings, and a new super-intuitive knockout stage bracket. Download the free app here.
