Barcelona and Inter will meet once more for the primary time on the semi-final stage in 15 years within the Champions League, with each side determined to return to the ultimate. In Inter’s case, a longing that comes from coming so shut three years in the past towards Manchester Metropolis, and from a Barcelona perspective, they want to reassert themselves on the prime degree of sport.
Forward of the primary leg at Montjuic, Soccer España spoke with Soccer Italia editor Lorenzo Bettoni to search out out simply what’s awaiting the Blaugrana within the semi-final.
A participant which may shock Barcelona followers
“It relies upon how acquainted you’re with Alessandro Bastoni,” Bettoni explains. “I don’t assume many individuals in Europe are conscious of simply how sturdy and good he’s. He is without doubt one of the greatest on the earth, and other people know that in Italy, however those that don’t comply with Serie A may not concentrate on how good he’s.”
“Even though he’s a defender, the way in which he assaults is unimaginable, getting ahead and entering into the ultimate third, in addition to the way in which he defends.”
One other participant to be careful for is Yann Aurel Bisseck, seemingly a starter within the backline with Francesco Acerbi and Bastoni, is one other one who may shock individuals. There are occasions when he isn’t as centered, or he reveals much less willpower, however he’s been excellent of late. In a sport like this, the place everybody is concentrated, I count on him to do properly.
How do Inter come into this match?
Simply seven days in the past, Inter had been dreaming of a treble, earlier than the Coppa Italia semi-final with AC Milan, dropping that sport 3-0. That was after a defeat to Bologna, and on Sunday, they misplaced to Roma, making it three defeats in a row, and with out scoring any objectives. It’s the primary time that that has occurred since 2012.
However Denzel Dumfries got here again from the bench on Sunday, and Marcus Thuram is again in coaching too, and these are two gamers that make a giant distinction for Inter. Particularly this season. Inter are a crew that don’t dribble a lot. They’re the crew with the bottom variety of profitable dribbles in Serie A, which is unusual, however reveals simply how properly they play collectively. Little doubt the primary hour or 70 minutes might be essential, as a result of it’s not possible Thuram can play 90 minutes. Marko Arnautovic and Mehdi Taremi are various kinds of ahead, and with out Thuram they can’t play as rapidly.
Their build-up is superb, their counter-attacks are lethal. They know the right way to play any sort of sport. However on the subject of counter-attacks and being fast within the ultimate third, they’ve been lacking Thuram and Dumfries lots within the final three matches. Thuram is predicted to return straight again in, as a consequence of the truth that Inter haven’t scored in these video games.
Fatigue is an element for each side
Barcelona come into the sport with doubts about their depth and several other key gamers lacking, coming off the again of 120 minutes towards Actual Madrid on Saturday evening. However Inter are wanting equally leggy of late.
“Inter look actually drained. However it’s true that their focus has been completely different within the Champions League in comparison with different competitions. It has really been a degree of criticism for Simone Inzaghi, in comparison with Antonio Conte. Inter in all probability play significantly better soccer than Napoli, however now they’re three factors behind them with 4 video games remaining.”
“From dreaming of the treble seven days in the past, now they’re dealing with a state of affairs the place they could possibly be with none titles within the house of some weeks.”
The place sport plan can Barcelona count on from Inter?
The most important drawback now could be that they’re actually drained. They misplaced quite a lot of duels towards Roma, and they’re with out Benjamin Pavard, who’s one in every of their greatest defenders. I count on a really comparable sport to the primary leg towards Bayern Munich, the place Inter defend as a low block and attempt to cowl as a lot house as doable, not give Barcelona any probabilities.
One of many turning factors towards Bayern was Harry Kane lacking a giant likelihood within the field. A couple of minutes later, Lautaro scored and though Bayern dominated possession throughout the 2 legs, Inter confirmed they had been extra scientific on the counter-attack. A extremely comparable tie is to be anticipated. If they’re centered and handle to not give Barcelona any house in assault, they will get an excellent consequence.
Barça have recognized since final week that Balde would not be enjoying tomorrow. There was no information in the previous few hours, regardless of some hypothesis. The complete-back is working to journey to Milan and be obtainable for the return. @tjuanmarti
— barcacentre (@barcacentre) April 29, 2025
The place can Barcelona harm Inter?
Barcelona even have a bit extra high quality than Bayern in assault, there’s clearly Lamine Yamal there, and the one huge drawback is that Federico Dimarco is just not in the most effective form. It occurred towards Roma that Matias Soule performed on Inter’s left and harm Inter, and Niccolo Barella needed to come throughout and assist him lots. That could possibly be a mismatch for Barcelona. He’ll have assist from Bastoni too, however they’ll want at the very least two gamers on Lamine Yamal.
The opening hour of the sport might be key for Inter, after which Barcelona will push very laborious. The center third of the sport is the place you’ll be able to count on Inter to be at their greatest on this first leg.