Inter vs Barcelona: Champions League Semi-Final Preview

The opening leg at Montjuïc delivered a semi-final classic, with six goals, dramatic lead changes, and individual brilliance on display. Inter struck first inside 30 seconds through Marcus Thuram, setting a new Champions League semi-final record for the fastest goal. Denzel Dumfries then added a brace in a breakout European performance, but Barcelona showed resilience, with Lamine Yamal and Raphinha among the scorers as the hosts clawed back from a two-goal deficit.

Now returning to home turf, Inter will attempt to recreate their famous 2010 semi-final success over Barcelona – when Jose Mourinho’s side edged a 3-2 aggregate win before lifting the trophy. San Siro has become something of a fortress for the Nerazzurri in Europe, with Simone Inzaghi's men unbeaten in their last 15 Champions League games there, winning 12 of them.

Recent Form
Inter snapped a five-match winless run in all competitions with a narrow 1-0 win over Hellas Verona on Saturday, resting most of their first-team regulars in anticipation of Tuesday’s clash. While their domestic title hopes have faded, they remain formidable in Europe, conceding just five goals and keeping eight clean sheets prior to last week’s chaotic draw.

Barcelona, meanwhile, continue their march on multiple fronts. Saturday’s 2-1 win over Real Valladolid kept them ahead of Real Madrid in the La Liga title race, and the Blaugrana remain in pursuit of a treble having already secured the Spanish Super Cup and Copa del Rey. Hansi Flick’s side are unbeaten in 24 of their last 30 matches, with only one defeat in Europe – a dead-rubber second leg against Borussia Dortmund in the quarter-finals.

Head-to-Head and Historical Notes
Inter and Barcelona have met 16 times in UEFA competitions, with the Catalans edging the historical rivalry. However, their record in Italy is less encouraging: just one win in six visits to San Siro and only five victories in 24 away games against Serie A clubs overall.

In contrast, Inter boast an imposing home record in semi-finals, winning nine of their last 11 such fixtures across all European competitions. If they reach the final, it would be their second appearance in three years, following their runner-up finish to Manchester City in 2023.

Key Stats

• Inter are unbeaten in 15 Champions League home matches (W12, D3).
• Barcelona have lost each of their last four Champions League semi-final away legs.
• The Blaugrana have scored 40 goals in this season’s competition – five short of their all-time record from 1999-2000.
• Raphinha has 21 goal involvements this campaign (12 goals, 9 assists), currently level with Cristiano Ronaldo’s 21 in 2013-14.
• At just 16 years old, Lamine Yamal has five Champions League goals – the third-highest tally ever in a single UCL season by a teenager.

Team News
Inter could be without star striker Lautaro Martinez, who sustained a hamstring issue during the first leg. Should he miss out, Simone Inzaghi may turn to Mehdi Taremi or Marko Arnautovic. Benjamin Pavard is also a fitness doubt, but Hakan Calhanoglu returns from domestic suspension. Denzel Dumfries, Thuram, Mkhitaryan and Yann Sommer are expected to come back into the starting XI after being rested at the weekend.

Barcelona are managing injuries of their own, with full-backs Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde still sidelined. However, goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen returned to action on Saturday, and Robert Lewandowski is nearing full fitness and could be named among the substitutes. Wojciech Szczesny is expected to start in goal ahead of ter Stegen, while Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, and Pau Cubarsi are all set to return to the lineup after being rested in La Liga.

With a place in the Munich final at stake, and the aggregate score delicately balanced, all eyes will be on Milan as two of Europe’s most storied clubs clash once more under the lights.