Milan — May 17, 2024 —
Barcelona and Inter Milan are set to battle in the Champions League semifinal decider. After a gripping 3-3 draw in the first leg, the teams meet at the Giuseppe Meazza in Milan, Italy, for a spot in the final. Key players like Lamine Yamal of Barcelona, and Lautaro Martinez of Inter, are at stake. With injury worries and tactical adjustments in the air, all eyes will be on the competition, from the seasoned pros to the rising stars, in this must-see match.
Barcelona Faces Inter in Champions League Semifinal Decider
After a thrilling 3-3 draw in the first leg at Montjuïc, Barcelona and Inter Milan clash tonight at 9:00 PM CET (Movistar Champions League) in the second leg of their Champions League semifinal.The match at the Giuseppe Meazza is a crucial encounter,with the winner securing a coveted spot in the final in Munich on May 31st. This is a final in all but name for barcelona, who must perform on opposed territory.
The Giuseppe Meazza will be a cauldron of noise.Despite the likely rain, a fervent atmosphere is guaranteed. However, the young Barcelona squad seems unfazed, approaching the game with a refreshing naturalness, exceeding even their own early-season expectations. (Follow live updates on As.com).
Dani Olmo, one of the few Barcelona players with semifinal experience (along with ter Stegen, Lewandowski, de Jong, and Christensen), emphasized the team’s positive mindset. “The youngsters are treating it like a party. they’re not overwhelmed, and the veterans are there to remind them of the significance of the match. We have a vrey healthy group.”
Leading this youthful exuberance is Lamine Yamal, who stole the show in the first leg with a dazzling performance that left Inter reeling. His display has made him a marked man for the Italian side.
Coach Flick acknowledges the importance of allowing the young players to enjoy the occasion, but he’s also aware of the tough challenge ahead.
Inter proved in the first leg that they can exploit Barcelona’s weaknesses. Their transitions will be a constant threat, as will their set-piece delivery.
Adding to Flick’s concerns are the absences of key defenders Balde and Koundé. koundé was already ruled out, and balde’s injury in training before the Valladolid match is a notable blow, forcing Flick to improvise.
The likely solution on the right is Eric García, a versatile player who can fill multiple roles.The bigger dilemma is at left-back. Gerard Martín struggled against Dumfries in the first leg, but he’s the only natural left-back available.
another option is to shift Iñigo Martínez to left-back, as seen in Montjuïc. However, this would impact the team’s build-up play and require Araújo to play centrally, a position where his tendency to drift out of line can disrupt the team’s defensive structure.
flick is likely to opt for a back four comprised of central defenders, although the exact configuration remains uncertain. The attacking lineup, however, seems more settled, with Pedri, de Jong, and Dani Olmo supporting Lewandowski up front.
Inter,meanwhile,have been playing mind games in the press. After downplaying the fitness of Dumfries and Thuram before the first leg (both of whom scored), they initially suggested Lautaro would miss the return fixture.
Adding to the uncertainty, French defender Pavard, who was expected to return to the squad, suffered discomfort in training, casting doubt on his availability for the semifinal.
