The first leg of the Champions League semi-final between Inter Milan and Barcelona was a thrilling spectacle that captivated fans worldwide. Inter got off to a blazing start, scoring twice within 21 minutes through Marcus Thuram and Denzel Dumfries. However, Barcelona’s teenage sensation, Lamine Yamal, sparked a stunning comeback with a solo goal, followed by Ferran Torres’ equalizer. Though Dumfries netted again for Inter, an own goal by Yann Sommer saw the contest end 3-3, setting the stage for a decisive clash at the San Siro.
Tuesday’s second-leg fixture marks the 18th meeting between the two European giants. Notably, Barcelona have only managed one away win against Inter in the Champions League—a 2-1 victory back in December 2019.
Barcelona enter the match with high hopes of continuing their treble pursuit. Already Copa del Rey winners and leading La Liga, they edged out Real Valladolid 2-1 last weekend despite resting key players. Their recent form stands at WWWDW, and they have scored an impressive 40 goals in this Champions League campaign.
Inter Milan, meanwhile, secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Hellas Verona with a rotated squad. They trail Serie A leaders Napoli by three points but boast an enviable home record in Europe, unbeaten in their last 15 Champions League home games. Their recent form is less convincing (LLLDW), yet their home-ground advantage at the San Siro could prove crucial.
On the injury front, Inter’s captain Lautaro Martinez remains a concern after a hamstring issue in the first leg, though coach Simone Inzaghi is hopeful he’ll return. Defender Benjamin Pavard is back and likely to start. Barcelona, on the other hand, welcome back striker Robert Lewandowski, but will miss Jules Koundé due to injury. Goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny is expected to start over Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
All eyes will be on Yamal, who has drawn Messi comparisons with five goals and three assists so far. Raphinha also poses a major threat, having scored 12 times and assisted eight. For Inter, Dumfries and Thuram are key men after their impactful first-leg performances. The showdown promises to be another unforgettable chapter in Champions League history.
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