Julius OkorieWill the Champions League semis be a make or break moment for Inter and Barcelona? Thats the question on everyone’s mind.
Barcelona last won the UEFA Champions League in 2015. On that occasion the La Liga giants got the better of Seria A side Juventus in a showdown played at the Olympiastadion in Berlin, Germany.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelIt ended 3-1 and marked the fifth title Barcelona will be wining the prestigious championship, having won previously in 1991–92, 2005–06, 2008–09 and 2010–11.
The Hansi Flick side who were held to a 3-3 draw at home in semi-finals first leg at home, will be looking to book a spot in the Champions League Final for the first time in a decade as they to face Inter Milan in the second leg of their semi-final tie Tuesday night (tonight).
The first leg was a wild contest that ended in a 3-3 draw in the Catalan capital and left everything to be decided at San Siro, and the atmosphere will no doubt be crazy as the two sides dig it in a winner takes it all encounter.
No Major Injury Worry For Hansi Flick:
Flick made nine changes to his starting lineup and got all three points against Real Valladolid at the weekend, resting several of his key stars to have them as close to fresh as possible for what could be a 120-minute war.
There are major questions surrounding the defense with Jules Kounde ruled out through injury and Alejandro Balde’s status still suspect, which leaves Flick with the back four that played most of the second half last week with Eric García at right-back, Ronald Araujo and Pau Cubarsí in the middle, and Iñigo Martínez at left-back.
Interestingly, there is no worry in the midfield where the trio of Frenkie de Jong and Pedri each rested for 45 minutes at the weekend and should be fresh to go the distance in this one, and Dani Olmo also played very little against Valladolid to make sure he’s at his best for the Inter challenge. Fermín López and Gavi can provide much-needed energy in the second half and/or extra-time.
Lamine Yamal played just a little over 50 minutes and Raphinha only played in the second half at the weekend while Ferran Torres was rested for the entire game against Valladolid, so Flick can count on his front three to be pretty fresh and ready to be decisive in Italy and lead Barça to Munich.
Robert Lewandowski could have minutes in the second half, but the Pole is unlikely to start even if he makes the squad. Flick said on Lewandowski “I think it’s better for him to start the match on the bench.”“After the time he’s missed due to injury, it’s not ideal for him to start.”
Though Flick would ultimately want to win at San Siro, he nonetheless expects his players to enjoy themselves and recalls with nostalgia his experience in San Siro way back as a player. He says, “It’s not my first time at the San Siro.”
“I experienced a match between Inter and Bayern Munich that ended 1-3 as a player, a long time ago,” “As well as a match against Milan.”“I’d like to see my team enjoy themselves.”
“A Champions League semifinal is not a matter of pressure. I hope the team enjoys themselves, and remains united.”
Lamine Yamal Worry For Simone Inzaghi’:
One player that is sure to pose a problem for Inter Milan if today’s happens to be his lucky day is Lamine Yamal. The young man has been a delight to watch and plays with so much maturity. He turned out to be the tormentor in chief in the first leg and Inter Milan coach admits checkmating him will not be a easy.
After his superb strike last week, Lamine Yamal has scored five Champions League goals this term, with only Erling Haaland (10 in 2019-20), Kylian Mbappe (six in 2016-17) and Raul (six in 1995-96) managing more in one season as a teenager.
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Raphinha is setting all kinds of records, too. The brilliant Brazilian, has had a hand in 20 goals so far, with only Cristiano Ronaldo in 2013-14 (17 goals, four assists) faring better in a single campaign. All this will count as plus for Barcelona who have been tipped in some quarters to have 55% to 45% chance of overcoming Inter tonight.
Simone Inzaghi’s side had conceded just five times and kept eight clean sheets en route to the semi-finals – matching Barca’s 19 points in the league phase, and then beating Feyenoord before ending Bayern Munich’s hopes of reaching a home final – but they struggled to keep the Blaugrana at bay.
Of course, Inter overcame Barca in the semis when they last won the Champions League, back in 2010, as Jose Mourinho’s experienced team prevailed 3-2 on aggregate before lifting the trophy against Bayern a few weeks later.
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.
Historically, the Nerazzurri have also won nine of their last 11 home semi-final games in Europe, and another success would see the 2023 runners-up meet either Arsenal or Paris Saint-Germain in this season’s decider.
While Inter’s treble hopes were ended by last month’s Coppa Italia loss to city rivals AC Milan, Barcelona are still on track for three trophies – in addition to their Spanish Super Cup success earlier this season.
Having beaten old foes Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey final, the Catalan club are also leading Los Blancos in La Liga, with just four games to the finish line following Saturday’s 2-1 win over rock-bottom Real Valladolid.
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.
Odds Against Barca:
History is not exactly on their side the La Liga giants ahead of the second leg, not only have the Blaugrana lost their last four semi-final games away from home, but they have also managed just two away wins at this stage of the competition while losing on 11 occasions.
Furthermore, Barcelona have come out on top only once in their six clashes with Inter at San Siro, forming part of a dismal record against Serie A sides.
They have posted a mere five wins from 24 Champions League trips to the Italian peninsula. But with the catch me if you can state of Lamine and Raphinha and the fight resolve of the team the battle tonight may be one to rise above poor history cum statistics.
Julius Okorie is Chief Sports and Entertainment Correspondent for Prime Business Africa. He began his journalism career with the Champion Newspaper and Sporting Champion and later moved on to Daily Independent and the Nation Newspapers. Okorie joined Prime Business Africa in 2024 bringing on board 20 years of experience in writing investigative news on Sports and Entertainment. His well researched and highly informative articles on Sports Business and general entertainment are followed by a wide range of audience.
