Following an unforgettable first-leg thriller that ended in a 3-3 draw, Inter Milan and Barcelona will go head-to-head once more on Tuesday in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final clash at San Siro. With both sides boasting rich European pedigrees, the stakes couldn’t be higher as they aim for a place in the final.
The initial meeting in Spain was a dramatic encounter, as Marcus Thuram stunned the hosts by scoring just 30 seconds after kickoff the fastest goal in Champions League semi-final history. Inter continued to threaten, with Denzel Dumfries surprisingly adding a brace from wing-back. However, Barcelona clawed back, inspired by teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, who found the net with a spectacular effort. Despite squandering a two-goal advantage, Inter were relatively satisfied to leave Montjuic with a draw, knowing they would host the decisive leg.
Inter’s route to the final four has been built on defensive solidity. Prior to the semi-final, they had conceded just five goals and recorded eight clean sheets in the competition. Their disciplined displays saw them match Barcelona’s group stage record of 19 points before dispatching Feyenoord and Bayern Munich in the knockout rounds. Historically, Inter have a strong record at home in European semi-finals, winning nine of their last 11 such matches.
However, recent domestic form has been less convincing. Although they snapped a five-match winless run with a 1-0 win over Hellas Verona at the weekend, they remain in a tense Serie A title race with Napoli. Their Coppa Italia exit to rivals AC Milan last month has also narrowed their trophy ambitions to just one front.
In contrast, Barcelona are still in pursuit of a treble. Having already secured the Spanish Super Cup and the Copa del Rey, they currently lead La Liga with just four games remaining. Saturday’s hard-fought 2-1 win at Real Valladolid continued their strong domestic form, with 24 wins from their last 30 matches in all competitions.
Under the guidance of Hansi Flick, Barcelona have developed into one of Europe’s most feared attacking forces. They have scored 40 goals in the Champions League this season and are closing in on their club record of 45 in a single campaign. The rise of Lamine Yamal has been particularly eye-catching; the teenager has scored five goals in Europe’s elite competition this season, ranking among the best teenage campaigns ever. Raphinha has also been instrumental, contributing to 20 goals so far rivaling Cristiano Ronaldo’s output in the 2013-14 season.
Despite this firepower, Barcelona’s away record in Champions League semi-finals remains a concern. They have lost their last four semi-final away legs and have won just two such fixtures in their history while suffering 11 defeats. Their record in Italy is similarly poor, with only five wins from 24 trips to Serie A sides.
In terms of team news, Inter may be without top scorer Lautaro Martinez due to a hamstring injury. If unavailable, either Marko Arnautovic or Mehdi Taremi could partner Thuram up front. Midfield lynchpin Hakan Calhanoglu returns to the lineup, while key figures like Dumfries, Mkhitaryan, and Sommer are expected to start.
Barcelona remain without full-backs Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde, though Robert Lewandowski is nearing fitness and could be included on the bench. Marc-Andre ter Stegen recently returned but is likely to make way for Wojciech Szczesny, while key starters including Yamal, Raphinha, and Pedri will feature from the outset.
Prediction: Inter Milan 2-2 Barcelona (Inter win on penalties)
